St. Francis of Paola

Francis was born at Paola, Italy, in 1416, and was educated at the Franciscan friary of San Marco there. At the age of fifteen he became a hermit near Paola. In 1436, he and two companions began a community that is considered the foundation of the Minim Friars. He was credited with many miracles and had the gifts of prophesy and insight into men's hearts. Francis established foundations in southern Italy and Sicily, and his fame was such that at the request of dying King Louis XI of France, Pope Sixtus II ordered him to France, as the King felt he could be cured by Francis. He was not, but was so comforted that Louis' son Charles VIII, became Francis' friend and endowed several monasteries for the Minims.

Francis spent the rest of his life at the monastery of Plessis, France, which Charles built for him. Francis died there on April 2nd, 1507, and was canonized in 1519.

His feast day is April 2.