Saint Andrew Avellino
Saint Andrew Avellino (born March 1, 1521 AD in Castronuovo di Sant'Andrea, Basilicata, Italy; died November 10, 1608 AD in Naples, Italy) was an Italian Theatine priest and spiritual director, famous for his extraordinary holiness, his ministry to the sick and dying, and for dying at the altar while beginning Mass. He was canonized by Pope Clement XI in 1712. His feast day is November 10.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Andrew Avellino
| Saint Andrew Avellino | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | November 10 |
| Profession | Theatine priest; jurist (before religious vows); spiritual director; Counter-Reformation priest; director of communities of women religious; close associate of Saint Charles Borromeo |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Theatine Order (Clerics Regular of the Divine Providence); Counter-Reformation; 16th–17th century Italian church; Naples; Milanese Counter-Reformation |
| Patronage | Those in their death agony; those facing sudden death; stroke victims; Naples; Basilicata; Sicily; those who minister to the dying; Theatine Order |
| Attributes | Theatine habit (black); chalice at the altar (his death at Mass); a lily (his purity); angels surrounding him at death; the words of the Mass on a book or scroll; sometimes depicted collapsing at the altar |
| Birthplace | Castronuovo di Sant'Andrea, Basilicata, Italy |
| Death Place | Naples, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died November 10, 1608 AD, in Naples; he collapsed at the altar while beginning Mass and died shortly afterward, having suffered a stroke (apoplexy); his death at the altar was seen as an extraordinary grace — dying in the act of offering the Eucharistic sacrifice; he was 87 years old; he had been a Theatine priest for more than 50 years; his body was carried in a great funeral procession; it was found incorrupt when later examined; he was beatified 1624, canonized 1712 |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of San Paolo Maggiore, Naples — his body; November 10 feast; Theatine church; Roman temple columns in facade |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); November 10; Feast in Theatine Order and Naples |
| Historic Class | Double (November 10) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Lancelot Avellino was born March 1, 1521, in Castronuovo di Sant'Andrea in Basilicata, southern Italy. He studied law in Naples and was ordained a diocesan priest c. 1548. He practiced canon law and served as a vicar for a local bishop.
A personal crisis (he had unwittingly told a lie in court and was struck with remorse) led him to enter the Theatine Order c. 1556, taking the name Andrew in honor of the apostle. The Theatines were one of the key Counter-Reformation religious orders, founded by Saint Cajetan in 1524.
He served in Naples and Milan, where he worked alongside Saint Charles Borromeo. He was an influential spiritual director, and more than 3,000 of his letters survive.
He returned to Naples and died November 10, 1608, at age 87, collapsing at the altar at the moment of beginning Mass — an event immediately venerated as a holy death. He was beatified 1624 and canonized 1712. His body rests incorrupt at the Basilica of San Paolo Maggiore in Naples.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Castronuovo di Sant'Andrea, Basilicata, Italy
Death location: Naples, Italy
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Andrew Avellino have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Saint of the Day: November 10th - Saint Andrew Avellino | 5–15 minutes | Butler's Lives of the Saints |
| Saint Andrew Avellino, Theatine Priest - November 10th | Under 5 minutes | Saint of the Day |
Shrines
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Known shrines
- Basilica of San Paolo Maggiore, Naples — his body; November 10 feast.
Feast day
November 10
Veneration
Saint Andrew Avellino was a Theatine priest and close associate of Saint Charles Borromeo who died at age 87 collapsing at the altar while beginning Mass in Naples in 1608. He is patron of those in their death agony. His body rests incorrupt at San Paolo Maggiore, Naples. Feast November 10.
Prayers
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