ANTONIO da AMANDOLA, blessed. – Augustinian preacher, born to the peasant Sempliciano Migliorati (Megliorati, Meliorati) on 17 Jan. 1355 near Amandola (Ascoli Piceno), died there on 25 Jan. 1450. Educated by the Benedictines of S. Anastasio, having been orphaned of his parents he entered, at the age of 18, the convent of the Hermits of s. Agostino, situated at the foot of Mount Marabione. He spent 12 years there, then moved to the convent of Tolentino, where for another 12 years he carried out an active apostolate, and by his imitation of the virtues of the Saint of Tolentino he earned the title of “new s. Nicola.” He then preached for 3 years in Puglia. Having returned to his homeland, he was prior of the Augustinians of Amandola until his death at an advanced age, transforming their hermitage into a spacious convent.
He performed many miracles during his lifetime, especially on the occasion of public calamities, and after his death (155 between 1455 and 1652, listed in the Sommario di Beatificazione); hence the commune of Amandola proclaimed him on 2 March 1460 “defender of this land.” On 11 July 1759 Clemente XIII confirmed the cult rendered to him “ab immemorabili”; his feast falls on 28 Jan. By a brief of 20 Apr. 1890 Leone XIII granted plenary indulgence to the numerous visitors to the Sanctuary that preserves his body.