- you are here: Home
- Hidden Treasures
- Too much grace Saint Anthony: the origin of the saying born in Florence
Too much grace Saint Anthony: the origin of the saying born in Florence
Figures of speech
Too much grace Saint Anthony: the origin of the saying born in Florence
We are not mistaken! We know very well that when talking about Saint Anthony one immediately thinks of Padua! But we are talking about another Saint Anthony and precisely the one from Florence. Who was he? Born Antonio Pierozzi, he founded the Convent of St Mark and the Bonomini Association of St Martin, and later became bishop of Florence around the middle of the 12th century.
Because of his short stature, he is often referred to as ‘St Antoninus’ and the chronicles of the time tell of an important figure for the city but at the same time close to the people with whom he had a very strong bond. He received at his home in Via dello Studio at number 11, as evidenced by a plaque bearing his effigy, and those in need went to see him to ask for spiritual guidance, aid and grace. Precisely for this reason he was also nicknamed ‘Anthony of advice’.
It happened that a certain Dante Petti went to number 11 in Via dello Studio with his wife Marietta. The problem for which they consulted ‘St Antoninus’ was that they could not have a child. They went several times to the Bishop’s house and at a one point he informed them that the long-awaited son was about to arrive. After a while, in fact, Marietta realized she was pregnant and with great joy celebrated the arrival of that much desired son. Then they also celebrated the arrival of the second, third, fourth, fifth and even sixth! It was perhaps at this point that Dante, happy but worried about the many mouths to feed, uttered the famous phrase ‘Too much grace St Anthony’.
Even this common expression, used when you receive more than you desired, comes from Florence. Do you want to discover other interesting facts about this city? Visit our ‘Unusual Florence’ section and you will find many original ideas for a visit.
- Google+
- tumblr
Search posts
Latest posts
Siena: Ricciarelli: Siena’s sweets hailing from the far East.

Local Traditions
Alongside panforte, they are among Siena’s sweets that best represent the city. Just thinking about their orange and vanilla scent, s...
ViewFlorence: Who invented the bistecca alla fiorentina?

Local Traditions
The Florentine beefsteak is the undisputed queen of Tuscany’s gastronomy. Including the bone, and strictly cooked in ‘blood’ (i.e...
ViewTuscany: Ferdinando Innocenti: the inventor of the Lambretta.

Big Names
There is no doubt that Tuscany is a land of inventors. Just think of Leonardo da Vinci! Ferdinando Innocenti is also one of them. Do yo...
ViewFlorence: Negroni was born in Florence!

Did you know that...
Now that Mojito and Moscow Mule are all the rage as aperitifs, there are classic cocktails that have stood the test of time and moods. ...
ViewTop posts
Arezzo: Guido d'Arezzo and the invention of the music

Big Names
In Talla and surroundings people have no doubt: the inventor of the musical stave, the inventor of the music notes and also of the mode...
ViewPistoia: The Kiss of the Christs in Gavinana

Local Traditions
It is a very ancient but still popular rite. Two large processions that meet up with a Christ on the cross in front of each one: the he...
ViewSiena: Piero Carbonetti and his tin drum

Local Traditions
Subversive, persecuted, anarchist, homeless, dreamer: it is really difficult to define Piero Carbonetti, Tuscan bred and born and Garib...
ViewPisa: Kinzika, the young woman who saved Pisa from the Saracens

Local Traditions
It was really her, a young woman with an Arabian name, Kinzica, of the noble Sismondi family, to save Pisa from being sacked by Saracen...
View