Rosmini-Serbati, Antonio [key], 1797–1855, Italian theologian. Ordained a priest in 1821, he attempted to establish a philosophical system based on Roman Catholicism but incorporating modern political and social ideas. Politically, he believed in a form of Italian nationalism in which the pope would head the combined states as a perpetual president. He founded (1828) the Institute of the Brethren of Charity (Rosminians), whose members were laymen and clergy devoted to education and charity, a movement that spread to England and the United States. In 1830, Rosmini wrote Nuovo saggio sull origine delle idee (tr. Origin of Ideas, 1883–86), which presented some of his basic philosophical beliefs. In 1848 his Cinque piaghe della Santa Chiesa (tr. The Five Wounds of the Holy Church, 1883) appeared. This book aroused instant opposition, particularly from the Jesuits, and it was placed on the Index, although later released.
See J. F. Bruno, Rosmini's Contribution to Ethical Philosophy (1916); biography by C. Leetham (1959).
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