ANTÈRO MARIA of SAN BONAVENTURA. — Theologian, exegete, and preacher, in the world Filippo Miccone, born on 5 September 1620 at Sestri Ponente (Genova), died on 7 July 1686. Altering the date on his baptismal certificate, he entered the Discalced Augustinians at Genova before completing his fourteenth year. Ordained a priest in 1644, he devoted himself to preaching and to a life of heroic penance.
His highest zeal for souls manifested itself in the years 1656–57, when Genova and its surroundings were struck by the plague: he was the driving force behind those who assisted and housed the plague victims. He documented the history of that period in his book Li lazaretti della città (Genova 1658, 1744). In 1659 he was elected master of novices of the province of Genova; in 1662, prior of the convent of San Remo; he was then sent as visitor to the convents of Germany.
Upon his return, he withdrew to the convent of S. Nicola in Genova, where he composed his principal work, in 3 folio volumes, Ponderationes in Psalmos iuxta multiplicem Divinarum Scripturarum sensum (Lione 1673, Genova 1681), whose printing he supervised by travelling to France. He was prior of the convent of S. Nicola and, in 1665, provincial prior. He always resided in Genova. In 1686 he was military chaplain on a galley departing to fight the Turks. He followed the troops who had landed by land, but, struck by fever, died on the island of Sapienza, leaving a reputation for miracles and great holiness. He also published (at Genova): Auri gemmarumque mystica fadina (1677); Scegliatoio dei sfaccendati (1679); Apostolorum Acta (1681, 1684); Discorsi quaresimali (1683).