Amadeus of Portugal was a 15th-century Portuguese nobleman who transitioned from a Hieronymite monk to a Franciscan friar. Born João de Menezes da Silva, he became a significant reformer within the Franciscan Order, establishing a distinct branch known as the Amadeiti. He spent much of his religious life in Italy, particularly in Milan, where he served as a confessor to Pope Sixtus IV. He is remembered for his theological writings and his influential prophecies regarding a future era of peace in the church and the world.
Life and reform
After a brief marriage and military service in Spain, Silva entered the Hieronymite monastery at Santa María de Guadalupe. He later joined the Franciscans in 1452, eventually seeking holy orders. While living in Milan, he founded the friary of Our Lady of Peace, which served as a hub for his reform efforts. His reputation for virtue and miracles grew, leading to his appointment as a confessor to the Pope.
Works and legacy
He authored the Apocalypsis nova, a dialogue with the Archangel Gabriel that included prophetic elements. This work influenced European monarchies and religious thought for decades. His followers, the Amadeans, maintained numerous houses across Italy until the mid-16th century, when the Pope merged various Franciscan branches into the Friars Minor Observants. He is currently recognized as blessed in the Catholic tradition.