ANTONIO of AVERARA (De Averaria). - Carmelite preacher, born in Averara (Bergamo), died in Ferrara in 1523.
Having entered the Carmelites of the Mantuan congregation in Ferrara in 1473, he studied under the blessed Battista Spagnoli. After earning a degree in theology, he became regent of studies and was prior several times (Bergamo 1490, Brescia 1495, 1504, Milan 1509, Ferrara 1502), definitor, and vicar general of the Mantuan congregation (1511, 1517). He distinguished himself in preaching and zealously maintained observance in the convents. He published *De virtutibus, sermones quinquaginta* (Milan 1509); his philosophical, ascetical treatises, and poems remained unpublished.
Antonio of Bitonto. - Renowned Franciscan theologian and preacher, died on 25 Sept. 1459 in Atella in Apulia, where he had been provincial vicar of the Observants. From 1440 he taught theology in the convents of Ferrara, Bologna, and Mantua. In 1454, Callistus III sent him to preach the crusade against the Turks. While preaching Lent in Naples in 1453, he incurred the wrath of Lorenzo Valla (cf. *Antidotum in Poggium*, I, VI). For his *Commentary on the Sentences of Lombardus* (Venice 1494; frequently reprinted), Nicholas V solemnly created him master of theology.
His other works reflect his very active preaching (most of their editions were supervised by his confrere Filippo of Rothingen): *Sermones in omnes epistolas quadragesimales* (Venice 1496); *Sermones quadragesimales de vitiis* (ibid. 1499); *Expositio mystica evangeliorum dominicalium* (ibid. 1496); *Sermones Dominicales* (ibid. 1492, Strasbourg 1495 ff.); *Quaestiones scholasticae theologicae in Epistolas et Evangelia totius anni, tam de tempore quam de sanctis*, published together with the *Postilla* of Nicola Lirano (Ferrara 1490). His other writings remain unpublished: *Summa casuum conscientiae*, perhaps identical to his *Speculum animae*; *Sermones super epistolas dominicales per totum annum*; *De Privilegiis Sanctorum*; *B. Bernardini Senensis Sermones breviores facti*. He also composed in the vernacular some religious poems, such as *Credo in Dio sommo Creatore*.
Antonio of Butrico. - Celebrated lay canonist, born c. 1338 in Bologna, died there on 4 Oct. 1408. He studied civil law under Pietro d'Ancarano, earning his doctorate in 1384; in 1387 he also earned a doctorate in canon law. Except for brief interruptions, from 1391 until his death he taught in Bologna. A man eminent in learning and virtue, he was greatly esteemed by Gregory XII, who sent him to the antipope Benedict XIII to attempt to resolve the Western Schism. His works on canon law, though judged by some to be somewhat disordered, were highly regarded. Notable among them are: *Commentaria in quinque Libros Decretalium* (Rome 1473, Milan 1488); *Commentaria in Sextum* (Venice 1499); *Consilia* (Rome 1472). Alberto Scola