Cornelius Musso

Friar Minor Conventual, Bishop of Bitonto, prominent at the Council of Trent; born at Piacenza 1511; died 1574. He was, perhaps, the most renowned orator of his day, and has been justly styled the “Italian Demosthenes”. Returning to ancient patristic models, he has raised the homily to its highest form of perfection. He was among the first three bishops present at the Council of Trent, where he delivered the inaugural oration, distinguishing himself especially at the debates on Justification. In 1560 he was sent as papal legate to Emperor Ferdinand. He wrote: “De divina historia libri tres” (Venice, 1585; 1587); “Comment. in epist. ad Romanos” (Venice, 1588); “De operibus sex dierum” (Venice, 1598). His “Conciones evangeliorum” and “Sermones” (ed. by Jos. Musso, Venice, 1580) were translated into Latin by Michael of Isselt (Cologne, 1594). Musso was buried in the Church of the Twelve Apostles, Rome.