Agnello of Naples

Agnello of Naples
Pietro Negroni, Madonna and Child with Saints Bernardino and Aniello (Pinacoteca del convento di Sant'Antonio in Nocera Inferiore)
Born	535 Naples
Hometown	Naples
Died	14 December 596 Naples
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Major shrine	Eremo di Sant'Agnello, Guarcino
Attributes	Banner of the Cross, crosier
Patronage	Sant'Agnello (NA), Roccarainola (NA), city of Naples (co-patron); Guarcino (FR) (co-patron); Rodio (SA) (co-patron); Pisciotta (SA) (co-patron)

Agnello of Naples or Aniello the Abbot (535, Naples - 14 December 596, Naples) was a Basilian and later Augustinian monk. He is venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, with a feast day on 14 December, the date of his death.

The first major mention of Agnello is in the Libellus miraculorum, a 10th century hagiography by Peter the Sub-Deacon. He was born in 535 in Naples into a rich family of Syracusan origin, possibly related to saint Lucy - his father was Federico and his mother Giovanna. He spent his youth as a hermit in a cave near a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary and then in the church of Santa Maria Intercede, which later became Sant'Agnello Maggiore. He received a wealthy inheritance on his parents' death and used it on works of charity, such as founding a hospital for poor people.

He became more and more popular among the inhabitants of Naples, so much so that they asked him to save the city during the Lombard invasion of 581 - he appeared carrying a banner of the cross to defend the city. He finally left the city to escape his popularity, moving to Monte Sant'Angelo then the village of Guarcino, where he remained seven years and where there is a shrine to him. He later returned to Naples to become an Augustinian monk and then a priest at the monastery of Gaudiosus of Naples, where he finally became abbot and where he died aged 61.