In both the grouping of Tuscan Hermits at the Little Union of 1244 and the Grand Union of 1256, Lecceto was a participant community.
There still exist the original copy of sixteen papal bulls issued to Lecceto between 1254 and 1741, and twelve concerning the nearby Augustinian hermitage of San Leonardo al Lago written between 1144 and 1254, and four between 1244 and 1256 pertaining to the Tuscan hermits generally.
The Prussian State Library in Berlin purchased them in 1866 from an Italian collector.
Among the thirteenth-century friars at Lecceto who were noted for exceptional holiness were the friars Antonio and Patrizii Latono of Siena, Pietro de Rossi, Niccolo Bandinelli, a great contemplative, and Fra Bandino. It is impossible to do more here than just list their names.
During the following few centuries, additions were made to the complex. Between 1317 and 1345 there was the construction of a new church, its portico, and a new monastery.
During these years the Augustinian Prior (community leader) at Lecceto was successively Giovanni Battista Benincasa O.S.A. of Siena and Giovanni di Guccio Molli O.S.A. of Siena.
The characteristic tower, an imposing fortress-like structure (see photo above), was begun in 1405, and completed in 1408. The architect was a saintly lay brother at Lecceto, Blessed Cristofano Landucci O.S.A.
It is well attested that Pope Pius II, during a visit to Lecceto in 1459, showed marked respect towards Cristofano, and there is a painting in the church of their meeting.
To keep Lecceto’s liturgical manuscripts secure, an 'armario' (a hidden wall safe, an 'armadio a muro') was cleverly concealed behind the choir stalls of the chapel on the south side of the choir behind the high altar. Its eighteen great choir books mentioned as being there in 1652 consisted of antiphonaries and graduals.
Possibly at least some of the earlier manuscripts were illuminated by Brother Antonio da Montecchio O.S.A. of Lecceto, who entered the eremo there in 1440 and died in 1495. He was an excellent copyist of manuscripts.
(Continued on the next page.)
ID2499
|
