St. Andrew Avellino, Confessor (1608 AD)
Full Name: St. Andrew Avellino
Period: 1521 – 1608 AD (Passed away: November 10, 1608)
Feast Date: November 10
Birthplace: Castronuovo, Italy
Significance: Theatine priest, spiritual guide, patron against sudden stroke and for a happy death.
Youth and Conversion
Skilled in law and theology in youth, he worked as a lawyer in Church courts.
While pleading a case, he uttered a small lie to win.
Later, reading Proverbs 12:22 ("Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord"), he felt deep remorse over the lie. He immediately left the legal profession, dedicated his life to God, and became a priest.
Theatine Life and Spiritual Ministry
He joined the Theatine Order founded by St. Cajetan. Out of immense love for Christ's cross, he took the religious name Andrew.
He lived taking two special vows:
To strive earnest daily for spiritual progress.
Never to act out of self-will, but obey God's will and superiors.
He reformed monasteries and taught Catholic faith deeply to people. He served as a spiritual friend and guide to Archbishop St. Charles Borromeo.
Death at the Altar and Miracles
On November 10, 1608, at age 87, as he stood at the altar to begin Holy Mass saying the opening prayer, "I will go up to the altar of God" (Introibo ad altare Dei), he suffered a sudden stroke and collapsed.
Receiving Holy Communion that day, he peacefully passed into God's presence.
Because many stroke patients were miraculously healed through his intercession, he is venerated as patron against sudden strokes.
Spiritual Lesson
St. Andrew Avellino's life teaches us to realize and repent immediately even for small sins, and to grow daily in spiritual life with immense devotion to Holy Mass.