ANTONIO da Amandola, Blessed. - Augustinian preacher, born to the peasant Simpliciano Migliorati (Megliorati, Meliorati) on 17 January 1355 near Amandola (Ascoli Piceno), died there on 25 January 1450. Educated by the Benedictines of S. Anastasio, after being orphaned he entered at the age of 18 the convent of the Augustinian Hermits located on the slopes of Colle Marabbiore. 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 St Nicholas.” He then preached for three years in Apulia. Returning to his homeland, he served until his advanced age as prior of the Augustinians of Amandola, whose hermitage he transformed into a spacious convent.
He performed many miracles during his lifetime, especially in times of public calamity, 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.” Clement XIII on 1 July 1759 confirmed the cult paid to him “ab immemorabili”; his feast is kept on 28 January. By a brief of 20 April 1890 Leo XIII granted a plenary indulgence to the numerous visitors of the sanctuary that preserves his body.