Stories tell of a man who walked on water, cured people of their illnesses, even raised some from the dead. He lived in a cave as a teen and walked among kings late in his life.
This lesser-known Saint Francis grew up in Paola, Italy, during the fifteenth century and wanted to be “least in the household of God” (source). In spite of this desire for solitude and littleness, he ended up having a great influence on the world of his time and even now.
From Childhood Illness to the Minims
San Francesco (pronounced Fran-ches-co) di Paola, as he’s called at my parish in San Antonio, Texas, devoted his life to Christ from a young age. After being healed of a serious eye infection through the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, his parents sent Francis to live with local Franciscans for a year. During this year, young Francis of Paola’s faith deepened, setting the foundation of serving God for the rest of his life.
After this year of formation, Francis wanted to continue living simply and for God alone. He begged his parents to allow him to live alone as a hermit. They agreed. Francis left to live in a cave in his hometown of Paola. In time, others were attracted to imitate his austere way of life. A group gathered around Francis, who became known for his preaching and for miraculous healings through his prayers.
By 1474, about twenty years after gaining approval to build a monastery and church in Paola, the pope recognized Francis’ order. In time, they came to be known as “Minimi” (or Minims), which means “the least,” to signify their commitment to humility.
From Minimi to Saint: Miracles Attributed to Saint Francis de Paola
Francis spent his days in prayer, devoted to the Eucharist and in contemplation of the Cross. According to biographers, Francis’ deep life of prayer explains the many favors God shared with him, such as the gift of healing. Many of these were reported by eyewitnesses as cause for his canonization. Francis restored sight to a seventeen-year-old girl born blind, healed a girl who was deaf and mute, prayed for childless women to bear children, and restored life to his nephew Nicholas (source, source).
Stories of healings reached King Louis XI of France, who wanted a miracle of healing for himself as he approached death. At the urging of Pope Sixtus IV, Francis visited the king. Instead of restoring his health, Francis urged the king to turn his life back to God. King Louis XI heeded Francis’ direction and renewed his faith before his death.
Another famous story recalls when Francis walked on water. Denied ferry passage across the Straits of Messina in Italy because he had no money, Francis was not deterred: Francis knelt and prayed by the edge of the waters, then proceeded to walk across the water. Another version claims Francis laid his cloak on the water, tied his staff to a corner, and sailed across (source, see artwork depicting the miracle here). This miracle is why Francis is known as a patron saint of sailors, particularly in Italy.
Ulisse Giocchi, San Francesco di Paola attraversa lo stretto di Messina sul suo mantello, 1605., Convento di Fuligno. Creative Commons.
Francis, the “Man of Lent,” an Inspiration for Our Prayer
Saint Francis has been called the “Man of Lent” for his chosen penitential way of life. He believed the simple, sacrificial life helped him to walk “towards God without hindrance” (source), and to be wholly available to the Lord’s will. This “lenten way of life” became a fourth religious vow for the Minims in addition to poverty, chastity, and obedience; and requires a perpetual abstinence from meat and dairy products.
While writing this piece, I’ve been thinking about what I, as a laywoman, can learn from Saint Francis of Paola, the “Man of Lent.” Whether during Lent or through the entire year, we can make sacrifices combined with prayer, ever seeking to know and do the Lord’s will more completely. We can seek Saint Francis’ intercession, that we may keep our desires rightly ordered in light of God’s will, and that we may not grow too attached to things which would distract us from our relationship with the Lord.
Short of adopting his complete abstinence from meat and dairy, here are some ideas to fast for the love of God and neighbor:
- Drink only water
- Give up social media until Easter, or take a weekly “day off” social media
- Put your phone away after 8 p.m.
- Spend extra time praying before or after Mass
- Do a closet purge and donate clothing
- Buy extra food at the store for the food pantry
With any sacrifice, our goal should be to draw near to the Lord. I find it helps to pray when I feel the sting, or in the morning when I begin my day: Lord, I offer this up for love of You. I also offer for (a chosen intention, such as people near death or those who asked for prayer). Increase Your grace in my life and theirs. Amen.
How San Francesco Found a Home in Texas
Saint Francis of Paola is beloved by my parish community in San Antonio, Texas. The parish named for him will celebrate one hundred years in 2027. You may be wondering how this Italian friar became so beloved in Texas!
Families of Italian immigrants settled in San Antonio in the early 1900s. Many of them came from the Calabria region in Italy, where San Francesco lived. These families brought their devotion to the Saint with them, and built a parish in San Antonio’s “Little Italy” in his honor.
For generations, the people of San Francesco di Paola parish have passed on their Catholic faith and love for the Italian friar. One family’s strong devotion to the Saint includes what may be considered a modern-day miracle, thanks to Saint Francis’ intercession. When one man’s wife was near death due to illness, he placed a first-class relic of the Saint on her chest, praying for healing. She recovered and lived seven more years with her grateful family (source).
If you ever visit San Antonio, you can visit San Francesco di Paola on Sunday mornings for Mass! Be sure to say hi if you do.
In the meantime, let us pray together: God our Father, you called Saint Francis of Paola to seek Your Kingdom in this world by striving to live in perfect charity. With his prayers to give us courage, help us to move forward with joyful hearts in the way of love. Amen.*
*Prayer and some biographical information from Fr. Gino Vanzillota, O.M., 13 Fridays Devotions (Kimberly Press, Inc.: Santa Barbara, 1996).
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