About the holy man Brother Jerome Rondinelli, Priest, from Florence

Brother Jerome was from the city of Florence, from a noble household called Rondinelli. At an early age he gave more attention to earthly pleasures rather than learning. When he was quite enmeshed in the beguiles of the flesh, touched by the Holy Spirit he began to change life, fast often, attend the confraternities and sermons and had little to do with his earlier companions. He went to Holy Communion on nearly all the feasts. After persevering in this devotion for about a year the desire to become a Capuchin came over him. Father Michelangelo, the Vicar for Tuscany, received him and I was present when he was clothed. His conversion was so effective that within a short time he stripped himself perfectly of all his bad habits and loved the holy Order.

He was especially zealous about holy poverty. So he willing stayed in poor and solitary friaries. There he led a very austere life for he never wanted to use more than two garments, usually always old habits patched with sackcloth. Most of the time he went barefoot. He fasted for almost the whole year especially during the forty-days that our Father Saint Francis used to do. On the vigils of Our Lady he fasted on bread and water. He rarely ate either minestra or bread. He was very careful about the Divine Office and never missed the choir unless constrained by true necessity. He spent most of the time in holy prayer, mental or vocal. He slept very little. When the Friars saw his good spirit and such a religious life they often made him Guardian and Master of Novices whom he governed with great simplicity and the very best example. Although he was most austere towards himself, nonetheless he was very discreet with the novices and especially charitable to all the Friars. When his neighbour had some need he did not spare any effort. Instead he would have exposed himself to a thousand deaths for the salvation of his neighbour. He was also very careful in his speech and very secretive in preserving the reputation of his neighbour. He was most zealous about the observance of the Rule. At Chapters many times he was made Definitor, something which benefited very much from his simplicity because of the great zeal he had regarding good customs.

I never thought to write much about this holy man because reason would have it that I would die before him, and also because I did not want to write except about those early Fathers in whom miracles were evident. However since this holy man conformed to those early Fathers very much by imitating them in austerity of life, holy virtues and good customs I think he is also of great merit. Therefore I felt I should count him among them so that anyone who reads this may take up his example and try to imitate him. Although there may not have been obvious miracles in him, nonetheless we can say it was a great miracle that for about twenty years he lived in the Order and always persevered in austerity of life, and nothing but good was evident in him.

Finally the Lord wanted to reward this servant of His. When he was Guardian in the friary at Montealcino he fell gravely ill. He endured this with amazing patience, always thanking God. When the Friars asked him, “How are you?” he answered, “I am very well because I am with my Lord Jesus Christ.” After he had received all the most holy sacraments with great contrition and devotion he passed away to the better life. His body was buried in the church of Montepulciano. We believe piously that in paradise he enjoys the benefits of his efforts and the he prays for us continuously to the Most High Giver of every good.

To the praise and glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ and His most fair Mother and our Father Saint Francis. Amen.