Oval glass-fronted brass pendant reliquary theca housing the second-class ex veste (of the vestments) relic of Saint Andrew Avellino. The relic is affixed to a silk ground surrounded by gilt and silvered paper ornamentation and identified in Latin on a manuscript cedula label as S. Andreae Av. (Saint Andrew Avellino). On the back, under a protective cap, the theca is secured with a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of Father Vitale Loschi (†1842), Bishop of Parma, Italy (1831-1842). The relic is accompanied by the original matching authentics document issued and sealed by the order of Bishop Loschi in 1831.
Saint Andrew Avellino († 1608) was an Italian Theatine priest who led a life busy in preaching, hearing confessions, visiting the sick, and writing.Born at Castronuovo, a small town in the province of Potenza Basilicata, his baptismal name was Lancelotto, which out of love for the cross he changed into Andrew when he entered the Order of Theatines. He was so successful in converting sinners and heretics by his prudence in the direction of souls and by his eloquent preaching, that numerous disciples thronged around him, eager to be under his spiritual guidance. He is a patron of Naples, Sicily, and invoked against sudden death.