Amador of Portugal
| Amador | |
|---|---|
| Hermit | |
| Born |
unknown Monsanto (Idanha-a-Nova), Castelo Branco district, Portugal |
| Died |
unknown São Pedro vir-on-Corces, Portugal |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | 27 March |
Saint Amador of Portugal (English: Amator of Portugal), whose feast day is celebrated on 27 March, was a hermit in Portugal.
Several churches in the diocese of Guarda and elsewhere in Portugal are dedicated to him.[1]
Life
Amador was born on Monsanto and on the edge of the Bishop of Guarda. He retired to the hermitage of São Pedro Vir-on-Corces, where he lived for many years. One day he found an abandoned newborn, who he raised and educated, and who also became a hermit and priest in the same place. Over time, the cave where they lived was converted into a chapel .
Legend
Ricarda was a woman of very bad character, which had fought with everyone except the hermit Amador. No one knew where they had come nor his name, but his kindness was called Amador. Ricarda talked with Amador and change his company, he took bread and fresh water. However, it did not change its character. One day the woman he went away, returning with a small child, his son. Amador asked to leave the child baptized, but Ricarda did not want, the child cried saying it was a tearful and would not have friends, but it away demons. Just say it, a group of demons appeared and took the child, taking it to air, while the ground opened and swallowed Ricarda. Loving prayed to save the child and the child did fall, without receiving any harm to his feet. The hermit raised by, asking for help from God, who sent him a deer every day nourished child with her milk. The child, growing up, became a priest in the same church, and helped in Amador trades. One day it was revealed that the father of the young priest had died and suffered in purgatory, and Amador told the young man to say Mass and to pray for their salvation, which reached as a new revelation did know that Amador it was saved. The boy died when he attended Amador in praise of holiness, and burial beneath the altar of the church. He continued taking care of the church, following the way of life of his master, when he died he was buried with Amador.
Veneration
The chapel became a place of pilgrimage and miracles attributed to the intercession of the saint, as well as protection against aphid pests and lizards in the fields. Some churches, particularly in the diocese of Guarda, are dedicated to him. His liturgical celebration is on 27 March.