Saint Francis of Paola
Stored in Cargo: Saint Francis of Paola
| Saint Francis of Paola | |
| Feast Day | April 02 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Boatmen, mariners, naval officers, travelers at sea, Paola, Italy |
| Birthplace | Paola, Kingdom of Naples (now Italy) |
| Death Place | Plessis-lès-Tours, France |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Church of St. Francis of Paola, Paola, Italy |
Saint Francis of Paola, born in 1416 in Paola, Italy, was a mystic and hermit known for his austere lifestyle and miracles. He founded the Order of Minims, emphasizing poverty, humility, and devotion to the Eucharist. His reputation for sanctity and miracles spread, leading to his canonization shortly after his death.
Biography
Birth
Francis was born to humble parents in the small town of Paola in the Kingdom of Naples. His birth was marked by miraculous signs, including a light that filled the room where he was born.
Early Life
From a very young age, Francis showed a deep inclination towards a religious life. By the age of 13, he had already begun living an ascetic lifestyle in a cave near his home, which attracted local attention due to his piety and the miracles attributed to him.
Occupation
Francis worked as a shepherd in his youth, but his life's work was as a hermit and later as the founder of a religious order. He lived a life of extreme penance, fasting, and prayer, which included never eating meat or dairy products.
Vocation
At 20, he founded a small hermitage which grew into the Order of Minims. The name "Minims" signifies their aim to be minimal in worldly goods to maximize spiritual gain. The order was approved by Pope Sixtus IV in 1474.
Death
Invited by King Louis XI of France, Francis spent his later years in France, where he continued his life of prayer and service. He died peacefully at the age of 91 in Plessis-lès-Tours, leaving behind a legacy of charity and spiritual guidance.
Significant events
- Founded the Order of Minims in 1435.
- Traveled to France at the request of King Louis XI in 1483.
- Known for numerous miracles, including walking on water, calming storms, and healing the sick.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Paola, Kingdom of Naples (now Italy)
Death location: Plessis-lès-Tours, France
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
The process began soon after his death due to his widespread veneration and the reports of miracles.
Venerable
Declared Venerable through the popular acclaim and the evident sanctity of his life.
Beatification
Not applicable, as he was canonized before the modern beatification process was instituted.
Canonization
Canonized on May 1, 1519, by Pope Leo X in Rome, Italy, only 12 years after his death, which was unusually swift for the time.
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No specific miracle is noted for his beatification due to the era's different canonization processes.
Miracle for canonization
No specific miracle is detailed for his canonization, but his life was marked by numerous miraculous events, which contributed to his sainthood.
Other notable miracles
- Walking on water to reach a ship during a storm.
- Miraculous healings, including bringing a dead child back to life.
- Multiplication of food, especially bread, for the poor.
Patronage
Saint Francis of Paola is invoked as the patron of boatmen, mariners, naval officers, travelers at sea, and his birthplace, Paola, Italy.
Feast day
His feast day is observed on April 2.
Veneration
Saint Francis is widely venerated through prayers, especially by those at sea or in need of spiritual guidance. His relics are housed in the Church of St. Francis of Paola in Paola, Italy, where many pilgrims visit. He's often depicted in art with attributes like a fish (referring to the miracle of walking on water) or a loaf of bread.
Books
Written about the saint
- "The Life of St. Francis of Paola" by Father Young
- "Saint Francis of Paola: God's Miracle Worker Supreme" by Fr. Vincenzo M. Peluso
Written by the saint
- No known works written by St. Francis of Paola exist; his teachings and insights are known through biographies and oral traditions.