ALL SAINTS: ⛪ Blessed Andrew of Montereale

Blessed Andrew of Montereale—sometimes called Andrea da Montereale—was born around 1400 in Montereale, a tiny village tucked in the hills of central Italy. We don’t know his exact birthday. His family wasn’t rich or famous. His dad might have been a farmer, his hands dirty from planting crops or herding goats on the rocky slopes. His mom took care of Andrew and his siblings in a small stone house with a straw roof that creaked in the wind. Montereale was a quiet spot—its paths wound through green fields, past sheep and wildflowers, with a little church calling people to pray. The air smelled of fresh dirt, baking bread, and the sharp breeze from the mountains. In the 1400s, Italy was full of villages like this, often caught in fights between big families, but folks still loved God and lived simply.

Andrew was a little boy with dark hair and a soft voice, growing up in a house that was plain but full of heart. He wore patched clothes—a tunic his mom sewed—and ate basic food like bread, porridge, or a few olives from a neighbor’s tree. His mom and dad taught him about God early. At night, they’d huddle by a small fire, a wooden cross on the wall, saying prayers in Italian. Andrew’s tiny hands held a rosary—maybe just string with knots—and he loved hearing about Jesus and saints who gave everything for God. This tells us: God can call you from a little village, and a poor kid can love Him big.

The family didn’t have extra—meals were small, the house was cold when snow came, and they worked hard to get by. When he was six, around 1406, life was tough, but Montereale stayed calm—Italy was noisy with wars and trade nearby. He liked being outside even then, helping carry water or watching the sky—at 10, in 1410, he started learning, maybe from a village priest who showed him a few prayers and Bible words. At 12, in 1412, he got thoughtful, sitting by the church door, watching people pray. Italy was shifting—big towns grew, and faith was everywhere—at 15, in 1415, he heard God calling him, feeling like the quiet hills weren’t enough—Readers, look here: hard days can plant faith, and a boy can find God in stillness.

Choosing a Simple Path

Andrew didn’t want a usual life. At 20, around 1420, he joined the Augustinians, a group of men who lived plain and close to God. They had a small house near Montereale—stone walls, a garden, no fancy stuff. His family didn’t mind—they were happy he picked God. He gave up an easy way, leaving farm work or a family to wear a brown robe and sandals that let in the dust—This says loud: you can pick God over everything, and letting go makes you free.

The 1420s were rough—Italy had battles and sickness popping up. At 22, in 1422, he learned to be a friar, staying with the Augustinians. They showed him how to pray all day, grow food, and study God’s book. He scrubbed floors, carried wood, and ate little—just bread and a bit of soup. He didn’t fuss, smiling even when his hands got sore—by 25, in 1425, he loved church time, kneeling in the friary for hours, talking to God in his heart—This tells us: simple living feels right, and praying holds you up.

Preaching to the People

Andrew found his gift. At 30, in 1430, he started preaching, walking to villages around Montereale to tell folks about God. He was great at it—his voice was soft but strong, making hard things easy to understand. He wanted to lift them up, sharing stories about Jesus, helping them feel hope—by 35, in 1435, he went farther, hiking over hills to towns like L’Aquila, preaching in little churches or open squares—Italy was loud—fights kept going, but people loved God—Andrew prayed with his rosary, a worn one, trusting God—This says: talking about God helps others, and loving them makes you holy.

The years rolled on—at 40, in 1440, he kept traveling, preaching to bigger crowds in places like Perugia or even Rome once. He’d stand in dusty streets, telling people to be kind and pray, even when life was hard. People listened, saying he made them feel close to God—by 45, in 1445, he got famous, not because he wanted it, but because his words stuck with folks—This tells us: sharing faith grows God’s love, and speaking simple lasts.

Living Holy and Helping

Andrew didn’t just talk—he lived it. At 50, in 1450, he helped more, stopping to fix a roof for a poor family or give his bread to a hungry kid. Some said he did wonders—like praying for a sick woman who got better fast. He saw God in everyone, thinking every person was worth loving—by 55, in 1455, he got quieter, praying alone under trees or in the friary, feeling God so near he’d glow a little—Italy was changing—new ideas spread, but Andrew stayed plain—He stayed small, saying, “God does it all”—This says: helping makes you special, and staying little shines bright.

The 1460s came—at 60, in 1460, he got tired, his body aching from years of walking and preaching with little food. He didn’t stop—kept going to towns, telling folks to trust God. By 65, in 1465, people loved him, not because he tried to be big, but because they saw his heart. They’d ask him to pray when storms hit or kids got sick, and sometimes the rain stopped or the kids smiled again—at 70, in 1470, he got weaker, his voice shaky but still kind—This tells us: living for God lasts, and God uses plain people.

A Gentle End

Andrew’s life ended soft—on April 18, 1476, at 76, he died, lying on a hard mat in Montereale, in the Augustinian house he called home. He went calm, his last words maybe “Jesus” or “Peace”—they buried him there, in the friary church where he prayed—he became Blessed later, his day is April 18—People cheered—they said, “He’s with God now!”—This shows: dying quiet makes you big, and a simple end helps others.

Helping People Today

Andrew’s story lives on—Montereale remembers him, his resting place a spot where people pray—he helps folks who love sharing God, and anyone trying to live good and true—Italy changed, but his way stays—Today, he says: be kind and small, friends, let God lead you. This sings: one plain guy can shine forever, and being little beats being big.

A Friend for You Now

Andrew’s life talks to us—he started poor but picked a simple life to preach about God. That shows you don’t need much to do good, and helping others can make you happy. You don’t have to travel far, but you can share what’s true and love God more. He made simple holy, proving God loves you no matter what—people saw his goodness fast, calling him Blessed years later—he helps you speak out, great for anyone who wants to pray or lift others up—God can make a saint from a hill boy who loved preaching, and He can make one from you too. Just give Him your heart—This says: God turns little into big, and you can be holy if you try.

How He Helps You

Andrew’s story pulls you in—his kid days say look for God, stuff doesn’t fill you; his friar life says stay plain, God’s right there. His preaching says be tough—keep going when it’s hard, faith holds you up. His end says trust—die calm, God’s your prize. He left in a brown robe—live so you shine at the end, and rest with Him. Walk his way: say something good, pray when you’re tired, let God lift you.

A Prayer to Blessed Andrew of Montereale

Dear Blessed Andrew, friend who preached for God, you lived simple and loved big, your life a song in quiet hills. Show me how to speak up, so I can follow with your warm heart. Teach me to trust easy, stay strong when life’s tough, and feel peace when I’m worn out. Help me drop my wants, my worries, and sit close to God, my heart ready for Him. Give me your love for sharing, your brightness, so my days help Him shine. By your place in Montereale, listen to me, and with your holy words, let me live small, brave, and real, showing His light till I’m done. Amen.

SAINT OF THE DAY

Saints in April

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Apr 18, 2024

⛪ Blessed Andrew of Montereale - Priest