Amadeus of the Amidei

Saint Amadeus of the Amidei (died 12 February 1266), also known as Bartholomeus Amadeus degli Amidei, was an important religious figure in 13th century Florence. He was born from the Amidei family. When he was still young he attended a religious congregation, where he met six friends with whom he founded the Servite Order in 1233.

Life

Born into a wealthy Florentine family, Bartolomeus joined the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin. With the approval of the bishop he and six friends withdrew from the world and betook themselves to a house called La Carmarzia, outside the gates of Florence. At first they were known as Laudesi, “Praisers”.^[1] Before long they found themselves so disturbed by constant visitors from Florence that they decided to relocate about 16 kilometers, to the wild and deserted slopes of Monte Senario, where they built a simple church and hermitage and lived a life of austerity.^[2]

Sometime between the years 1240 and 1247 they were approved by the bishop of Florence as a religious Order under the rule of St Augustine. They came to be known as the “Friar Servants or Servites of Mary” and made other foundations at Carfaggio outside Florence, Siena, Pistoia, Arezzo and Lucca.^[1] Amadeus governed the important convent of Carfaggio, but returned to Monte Senario to die.

Amadeus lived at Mount Senario until his death on 12 February 1266. When he died, the other father founders saw a flame which went up to the sky looking like a small light between all the other stars which reminded them of his love for God. In Italian, in fact, it is said he was predestined to such a life since his name in Italian is Amadio, which means "Love God."

As one of the seven founders of the Servite Order he was canonized in 1888,^[1] and shares their common feast day on 17 February. The date first assigned to this feast day was 11 February, the anniversary of the canonical approval of the order in 1304. In 1907 this date was assigned to the celebration of Our Lady of Lourdes and the feast day of the Seven Holy Founders was moved to 12 February. In accordance with liturgical tradition, the date was changed in 1969 to the anniversary of the death of one of them, Alexis Falconieri, which occurred on 17 February 1310.^[3]

There is a Catholic church named in his honor in Alburgh, Vermont.

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