Antoninus was a bishop of Florence, Italy, during the time of Medici rule. It was no small matter, no easy task. Yet he met all challenges as opportunities to offer generosity, simplicity, and straightforwardness. He was remarkable for being accessible–always on foot, always visiting with people, always un-shaming the poor. To this last end, Antoninus instituted a college without a set tuition so that people who were poor would not be forbidden education on that count, and would, as students, be indistinguishable from their richer colleagues.

Yes, there were attempts on his life, there was intrigue, there was a pope threatening to excommunicate Antoninus if he didn’t do as ordered. There were those telling him he wasn’t keeping up a fancy enough household (being a bishop and all). As well, once known as caring for the poor, Antoninus garnered a reputation for being a soft touch, and so was constantly besieged by requests. He bore responsibility for a small household staff of six in total, and he helped with the growing (and serving) of food and obtaining all necessities for their daily lives.

Because it was unavoidable, Antoninus had a secretary, one Francis Castillo. One day, Castillo asked Antoninus how he managed to handle all the demands put upon him by everyone, high and low. Castillo subsequently memorialized Antoninus’ response, and here it is (in translation):

“To enjoy interior peace, we must always reserve in our hearts amidst all affairs, as it were, a secret closet, where we are to keep retired within ourselves, and where no business of the world can ever enter.”

Amen.