Andrew Avellino (1521-1608) was a notable member of the Theatine Order, set up by St Cajetan in 1524 with the aim of raising the standard of the priesthood in face of the challenge from Luther.
He was born into a well-off family at Castronuova, a small town near Potenza in the kingdom of Naples, and christened Lancelot. As a young man he was sent to study philosophy at Venice.
There, according to one account, he became so concerned by the temptations from women to which his good looks exposed him that he adopted an ecclesiastical tonsure.
