Bernardo De Rossi

Background

Rossi was born at Cividale del Friuli.

Education

He made his religious profession with the Dominicans at Conegliano, 1704, after which he studied at Florence and Venice.

Career

Foreign the Renaissance bishop, see Bernardo de" Rossi

He taught at Venice for fifteen years, and was twice general vicar of his province. In 1722 he was theologian to a Venetian embassy to Louis XV and remained in Paris five months. He resigned his chair in 1730 and devoted the remainder of his life to literary activity.

He died in Venice.

Amongst his dogmatic writings must be mentioned De Peccato Originali (1757). He is famous especially for his new edition of the works of Thomas Aquinas with a commentary (1745-1760, 24 vols). He was also the author of thirty-two dissertations on the life and writings of Aquinas, which have been placed in the first volume of the Leonine Edition of Saint Thomas"s works.

De Rossi also ranks high as a writer on historical, patristic, and liturgical subjects.

Besides his numerous works which are published, he left thirty volumes in manuscript.

Achievements

• His sanctity and learning won for him a wide reputation, and his correspondence with the great men of his time fills nine volumes.