Blessed Amadeus Of Portugal

Biography

Blessed Amadeus of Portugal, also known as Amadeus Menez de Silva or by his birth name João de Menezes da Silva, was born in the year 1420 in Morocco. He belonged to the noble family of Portugal, being the youngest of eleven children of Rui Gomes, the Count of Viana, and Isabel de Menezes. His sister was the renowned Saint Beatrice da Silva Meneses.

Amadeus initially served as a courtier to Empress Eleonaora of Portugal. However, his life took a different direction when he decided to enter religious life. After a brief marriage, he joined the Hieronymite monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe, where he remained as a monk for ten years. But it was in 1453, during a visit to Assisi, Italy, that he felt the call to become a Franciscan lay brother.

In Assisi, Amadeus joined the Franciscans and lived as a hermit. In 1459, he received ordination as a priest. Motivated by a fervent desire to reform the religious life of his time, he founded the monastery Virgin of Peace near Milan, Italy. Under his leadership, this community practiced strict adherence to the Franciscan Rule and became known as the Amadeistene, Amadeans, Amadeeôrs, or the Marignano reform.

Amadeus was not only a spiritual leader but also a prolific writer. He authored works on prophecy and provided a commentary on the Book of Revelations. His writings gained praise from Pope Sixtus IV, King Ferdinand the Catholic of Aragon, and even Saint Louis IX of France.

Throughout his life, Blessed Amadeus of Portugal exhibited deep piety and a profound commitment to his religious vocation. He passed away on 10 August 1482 in Milan, Italy, succumbing to natural causes. He was laid to rest beneath the high altar of his monastery in Milan.

Although his representation is unknown, his feast day is celebrated on 10 August. Some calendars also commemorate him on 1 November. While his beatification status remains unspecified, the impact of his life and teachings has left a lasting legacy in the history of Catholic spirituality.