Illustration of Bl. Andrew of Montereale by János Hajnal in Il fascino di Dio: Profili de agiografia agostiniana by Fernando Rojo Martínez, O.S.A. Copyright © 2000 Pubblicazioni Agostiniane Rome. Used with permission. Original art preserved in the Office of Augustinian Postulator of Causes, Rome
Blessed Andrew of Montereale
April 18
Andrew of Montereale (1397?-1480) had a reputation as a holy man and worker of miracles.
Born around 1397 in Mascioni, Italy, he is believed to have worked as a shepherd from his childhood.
As a young man he met the Prior (local superior) of the the Augustinian Monastery of Montereale, one Augustine of Terni. Not long after this meeting, Andrew entered the Order of Saint Augustine. He was ordained a Priest when he was 25 years old. He earned Bachelor's, Lector's and Master's Degrees in Theology and became a teacher.
He held various positions of leadership in the Order, including Prior Provincial (regional superior) and Prior (local superior).
For unknown reasons that may have had something to do with the Avignon Schism, he resigned in 1459 his position as Director of Studies. Two years later he was sent away from his monastery by order of the Prior General. In 1461 that same Prior General appointed Andrew his representative for an official visitation of the monastery in Amatrice. In 1471 he was again elected Prior Provincial.
Documents published shortly after his death refer to Andrew as noteworthy for his knowledge of philosophy and theology, for his holiness and his preaching, for helping the poor and for enduring abuse with great patience. Other documents make reference to his having worked countless miracles.
Andrew wrote several books, all of which have been lost.
He died April 17, 1480 in the Augustinian Monastery in Montereale.
