Editing Peter Martyr Vermigli (section)

===Early Italian ministry (1525–1536)===
Vermigli was [[Holy Orders|ordained]] in 1525 and probably received his [[Doctor of Divinity]] around that time.{{sfn|Taplin|2004}} The [[chapter-general]] of the Congregation elected him to the office of public preacher in 1526.{{sfn|McNair|1967|p=118}} His first series of sermons was in [[Brescia]] later that year. He then preached for three years, travelling around northern and central Italy.{{sfn|Taplin|2004}} Unlike the practice of other preaching orders which usually only preached at [[Lent]] and [[Advent]], the Augustinians preached year-round.{{sfn|McLelland|2009a|p=28}} He also gave lectures on the Bible as well as [[Homer]] in Lateran Congregation houses.{{sfn|Taplin|2004}}

In 1530 Vermigli was appointed [[vicar]] of the monastery at [[San Giovanni in Monte, Bologna]].{{sfn|Taplin|2004}} There he learned [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] from a local [[History of the Jews in Italy|Jewish]] doctor so he could read the Old Testament scriptures in their original language.{{sfnm|McLelland|2009a|1p=28|James|1998|2p=195}} Even among those who sought deeper biblical study, it was uncommon for clergy to learn Hebrew, though not unheard of.{{sfn|McNair|1967|p=125}} In 1533 the chapter-general elected Vermigli [[abbot]] of the two Lateran monasteries in [[Spoleto]].{{efn|The monasteries were {{Interlanguage link multi|San Giuliano Abbey|it|3=Abbazia di San Giuliano (Spoleto)}} and Sant'Ansano Monastery (attached to [[Sant'Ansano, Spoleto|Sant'Ansano Church]]).{{sfn|McNair|1967|p=127}} San Guiliano was probably abandoned before Vermigli's abbacy.{{sfn|McNair|1967|p=128}}}} At this post he was also responsible for two [[convent]]s.{{efn|The convents were San Matteo and La Stella.{{sfn|McNair|1967|p=127}}}} The discipline in the monastic houses in Vermigli's care had been lax before his arrival, and they had become a source of scandal in Spoleto. There was also a history of a power struggle between the [[Bishop of Spoleto]], [[Francesco Eroli]], and the Spoletan abbacy, to the point that the bishop had excommunicated Vermigli's predecessor, only to be overturned by Rome. Vermigli brought order to his houses and mended the relationship with the bishop.{{sfn|McNair|1967|p=128–129}}

The chapter general re-elected Vermigli to the Spoletan abbacy in 1534 and again in 1535, but he was not elected to lead any house the following year. He may have been identified as a promising reformer who could help with reform efforts in higher places.{{sfn|McNair|1967|pp=130–131}} Vermigli was in contact with the Catholic leaders working on the ''[[Consilium de emendanda ecclesia]]'', an internal report on potential reforms of the Church commissioned by [[Pope Paul&nbsp;III]]. He may have even travelled to Rome to assist in writing it.{{sfn|McLelland|2009a|p=30}}