Theophilus of Corte (1676–1740)

Biography

A Corsican Franciscan, Teófilo de Corte renewed religious life through retreat houses where contemplation and mission strengthened each other. Ordained priest and initially destined for teaching, he preferred an existence of greater recollection under the guidance of Blessed Thomas of Cori. He was a preacher, superior and reformer of communities, combining fraternal discipline with apostolic zeal. He founded a Franciscan retreat in Tuscany from which the friars went out to evangelize and returned to recover the source of their service in prayer.