Saint of the Day – 25 February – Blessed Avertano of Lucca O.Carm ( 1320-c 1366 )

Saint of the Day – 25 February – Blessed Avertano of Lucca O.Carm ( 1320-c 1366 ) Lay Brother of the Order of Carmel, miracle-worker, Avertano had a great devotion to the Passion of Christ. Born in c 1320 in the Diocese of Limoges, France and died in c 1380 ub Lucca, Tuscany, Italy of the Plague. Also known as – Aventanus. Additional Memorial – 4 March (Carmelites).

Avertano was born in Limoges, France in the 12th Century. In his youth, Avertano had resolved to live a life closest to the teachings of the Gospel. The desire for holiness was always in his mind and soul.

Thus, when Avertano witnessed the exemplary way of life of the Carmelites, who had just returned from the East to their homeland, he expressed his intention of joining the Order. It did not take long for him to become a Carmelite.

Wherever he was assigned, Avertano was a model of virtue. Many, who came in contact with him, were edified by his reputation for and examples of holiness. He was also known as a miracle-worker who was blessed with many mystical gifts.

He desired to visit the Land of our Saviour but on his way home from his travels, he died of the Plague in c 1366. So many miracles were reported at his grave in the Church of San Pietro, that a series of paintings depicting some of them, were created for the San Pietro Church and the Cathedral of Lucca but then enshrined in the Church of Sts Paolino and Donato in 1806. He was Beatified in 1828 by Pope Gregory XVI,