AMADEO, JOÃO DA SILVA Y MENEZES

AMADEO, JOÃO DA SILVA Y MENEZES. - A Portuguese Franciscan, born into a noble family between 1420 and 1435, died in Milan in 1484. He is known as Amadeus Iustianus (not Hispanus), though in Portugal and Spain he left no trace of himself. Around the mid-15th century, he arrived in Italy dressed as a pilgrim, became a Franciscan, and founded a Congregation of Reformed Franciscans. This congregation, originating from the convent of Oreno near Vimercate, spread particularly in Lombardy, with a convent in Milan (Santa Maria della Pace) and another in Rome (San Pietro in Montorio). He also lived in the latter city, where Sixtus IV chose him as his confessor. His friars were called Amadeists and were united with the Friars Minor by St. Pius V in 1568. Two works are attributed to him that do not belong to him: a *Nova Apocalypsis* and a book of Homilies, the latter actually written by a Cistercian monk who later became Bishop of Lausanne. Some documents concerning him and his religious activity have recently been published.