Saint Francis of Paola

"Be peace-loving. Peace is a precious treasure to be sought with great zeal. You are well aware that our sins arouse God's anger. You must change your life, therefore, so that God in His mercy will pardon you. What we conceal from men is known to God. Be converted, then, with a sincere heart. Live your life that you may receive the blessing of the Lord. Then the peace of God our Father will be with you always."
- Saint Francis of Paola (1416 - 1507)

Today is the feast day of St. Francis of Paola. Francis was born in 1416 in Paola, Italy. He was educated at the Franciscan friary of San Marco at Paola. At the age of 15, after going on a pilgrimage with his parents to Rome and Assisi, Francis became a hermit and lived in a cave near Paola. In 1436, Francis and two other companions began a community, which is considered to be the foundation of the Minim Friars. After gaining many other companions who wished to join him, Francis set a Rule for the community and the Church approved it in 1474. The friars where originally called the Hermits of St. Francis of Assisi, but the name was later changed to the Minim Friars because Francis wished for them to be known as the least (minimi) in God's household. Besides the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, Francis added a fourth vow, the vow of fasting and abstinence from meat. He also wrote a rule for tertiaries and nuns. Francis established other foundations throughout southern Italy and Sicily. At the order of Pope Sixtus II, Francis went to France to see King Louis XI, who thought that Francis could cure him. Though Francis did not cure King Louis XI, he helped the king prepare for his death. King Louis XI's son, Charles VIII, also became a friend of Francis. Charles endowed several monasteries for the Minim Friars. Francis lived in the monastery at Plessis, France, which Charles had built, till his death in 1507 on April 2nd. He was canonized in 1519. He was credited with the working of many miracles, and could also read men's hearts and had the gift of prophesy. 

Saint Francis of Paola, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About Saint Francis Taken From:

 http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saintofday/

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=645

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Francis_of_Paola_Blessing_the_Son_of_Louisa_of_Savoy.png