Francesco Maria Tarugi was born to a noble family in
Montepulciano in 1525. He received a fine literary and legal education, and
became a skilled orator; his contemporary Baronius later dubbed him “dux
verbi”, or “prince of the word”.
When Tarugi arrived in Rome in 1555, he encountered St.
Philip Neri and was immediately taken by the holy father, entrusting himself to
Philip’s spiritual care. From 1565, he regularly attended the exercises of the
Oratory, and in 1571, at age 45, he decided to leave the service of the court
of Cardinal Farnese and become a priest.
Tarugi is credited with making significant contributions
towards the canonical recognition of the Oratory, as well as towards the
development of the Oratorian Rule. He saw potential for the Oratory to spread
to other places and serve the reform of the Church, but his ideas did not
always conform to the wishes of St. Philip.
In 1586, Tarugi moved to Naples, where he assisted in the
foundation of the Oratory there. He was so successful and popular with the
people and the clergy of Naples that many wanted him chosen archbishop.
Instead, in 1592, he was appointed to the See of Avignon, where he worked to
implement the reforms of the Council of Trent. In recognition of his zeal and
holiness, Tarugi was created Cardinal in 1596, and the following year was
appointed Archbishop of Siena.
As in the case of Baronius, Pope Paul V granted Tarugi
permission to return to the Roman Oratory at the end of his life. He died there
June 11, 1608.
