Saint Amicus of Fonte Avellana

Biography

Saint Amicus of Fonte Avellana, also known as Saint Amicus of Camerino, was born around the year 925 near Camerino, Italy. Born into the Italian nobility, he made the courageous decision to renounce the worldly life to pursue a religious vocation. At a young age, Amicus joined a Benedictine monastery near his hometown. However, his time in the monastic life was short-lived, as he left the monastery at the age of 20 to become a diocesan priest. Yet, after some time serving as a parish priest, Amicus felt a strong calling to return to the contemplative life within a monastery. Influenced by his deep spiritual journey, he encouraged his family members, including his parents, to embrace religious life. Many of them followed his example and entered religious orders. In his dedication to living a life of solitude and devotion, Amicus gave away all his remaining possessions. He then embarked on a hermit-like existence, living in a cave on Mount Torano dell’Aquila in the diocese of Ascoli Piceno in Italy. His profound piety and reputation for holiness attracted other individuals seeking a spiritual life, who joined him as hermits in the vicinity. For over twenty years, Amicus lived a simple and austere life on the mountain, dedicated to prayer, contemplation, and manual labor. It is said that he possessed a special bond with animals, particularly with a wolf. According to legend, when this wolf killed Amicus's donkey, the saint compelled the wolf to assist him in collecting wood for the monastery. This representation of Amicus often depicts him accompanied by a wolf, highlighting his connection to nature and the divine. In his old age, Amicus felt called to live as a monk once again. He returned to the monastery of Saint Peter in Fonte Avellana, Italy, where he spent the remaining years of his life. Despite his advanced age, he wholeheartedly engaged in the monastic way of life, exemplifying qualities of humility, simplicity, and devotion. Amicus of Fonte Avellana died around the year 1045 at the monastery of Saint Peter. He passed away peacefully from natural causes and was buried within the monastery grounds. Soon after his death, numerous reports of miraculous healings, particularly related to hernias, were attributed to his intercession. Many pilgrims flocked to his tomb seeking healing and consolation, and the accounts of these miracles elevated Amicus's reputation for sanctity. Although Saint Amicus of Fonte Avellana was never officially canonized by the Catholic Church, he is venerated as a saint, particularly in the local region. He is regarded as a patron against hernias and is invoked by those suffering from this ailment. Saint Amicus's life story serves as an inspiration for those seeking a deep spiritual connection and a life of selflessness and simplicity.