Francis of Paola facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintFrancis of Paola O.M. |
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Francis by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, from the altarpiece The Immaculate Conception with Saint Lawrence and Saint Francis of Paola
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| Hermit of St. Francis | |
| Born | 27 March 1416 Paola, Calabria Citra, Kingdom of Naples |
| Died | 2 April 1507 (aged 91) Plessis-lez-Tours, Touraine, Kingdom of France |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 1 November 1518 |
| Canonized | 1 May 1519 by Pope Leo X |
| Feast | 2 April |
| Patronage | Patron saint of Calabria; Amato; La Chorrera, Panama; Mabini, Batangas; boatmen, mariners, and naval officers |
Francis of Paola (also known as Francesco di Paola) was an Italian mendicant friar. He lived from 1416 to 1507. He founded a Catholic religious group called the Order of Minims. Unlike many founders of religious orders, Francis was never a priest.
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Early Life and Calling
Francis was born in Paola, a town in southern Italy. When he was young, Franciscan friars taught him in Paola. His parents had prayed for a child for many years. They asked for help from Francis of Assisi, and named their first son after him.
When Francis was a baby, he had a swollen eye that could have made him blind. His parents prayed to Francis of Assisi again. They promised that their son would wear the special "little habit" of St. Francis for a whole year. This was a common practice back then. After this, Francis's eye got better.
At 13, Francis had a vision of a Franciscan friar. This reminded him of his parents' promise. So, he joined a friary to keep the vow. After a year, he went on a trip with his parents to holy places like Assisi and Rome.
When he returned to Paola, he chose a quiet cave on his family's land to live alone. Later, he found an even more hidden cave by the sea. He stayed there for about six years. During this time, he spent his days praying and living a very simple, strict life.
Founding the Minim Friars
In 1435, two friends joined Francis in his quiet retreat. To make space for them, Francis built three small rooms and a chapel. This was the start of his new religious group. By 1436, he and his followers began a movement. It was first called the "Hermits of Saint Francis of Assisi." Later, it was renamed the Minim friars.
The name "Minim" means "the least of all." This showed that humility was very important to them. They wanted to live simply and humbly, just like Francis did.
A special rule for his order was to avoid eating meat and other animal products. This became a "fourth vow" for them. It was added to the usual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Francis wanted to bring back the old tradition of fasting during Lent. Many people in the 1400s had stopped doing this. The Minims' way of life was very strict. Francis believed that living a very disciplined life helped people grow spiritually. They tried to live hidden from the world.
More and more people joined Francis. Around 1454, with permission from the Archbishop of Cosenza, Francis built a large monastery and church. People were very excited and helped Francis build it. Even nobles carried stones to help with the work. Many miracles happened because of Francis's prayers, which made people even more devoted to him.
In 1474, Pope Sixtus IV allowed Francis to write down the rules for his community. They were called the "Hermits of St. Francis." Later, Pope Alexander VI officially approved their rules. He also changed their name to "Minims." After this, Francis started new monasteries in Calabria and Sicily. He also created groups for nuns and a "third order" for people who lived in the world.
Francis was not afraid to speak his mind, even to powerful people. He spoke up to the King of Naples about his actions. Because of this, Francis faced some difficulties.
Journey to France
When King Louis XI of France was very sick, he asked Francis to visit him in France. Francis only agreed to go after the Pope told him to. He traveled to France and helped many sick people along the way. He then went to the king at his home, the Château de Plessis-lez-Tours. Francis was with the king when he died.
Francis then became a teacher for the new king, Charles VIII. The king kept Francis close to the court and often asked for his advice. King Charles VIII built a monastery for the Minims near his castle. He also built one in Rome. Francis also influenced many people in the French church.
Francis wanted to return to Italy, but the kings, Charles VIII and later Louis XII, wanted him to stay in France. They valued his advice. Francis spent his last three months living alone, preparing for his death. On Maundy Thursday in 1507, he gathered his community. He told them to always have love for each other and to keep their strict way of life. The next day, Good Friday, he gave them his final instructions. He died at Plessis on April 2, 1507, at 91 years old.
Minim Diet
Francis followed a diet that did not include any animal products. This meant no meat, fish, eggs, butter, cheese, or milk. One of the vows for his order was to abstain from these foods. Francis has been described as a vegan.
The Minims focused on humility and non-violence. The name "Minim" means living as the smallest or least. This showed their focus on humility, simplicity, and plainness. Their rule of not harming any creature showed their belief in non-violence and kindness.
Stories of Prophecy
People believed that Francis had the special gift of prophecy. He was said to have predicted the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453. He told several people about this event years before it happened.
A painting by Theodoor van Thulden shows another story. It depicts Francis of Paola telling Louise of Savoy that she would have a son who would become the next king of France. This son was Francis I. In 1515, King Louis XII died without a male heir. The throne then went to Francis I. Louise of Savoy and her husband decided to name their son Francis to honor the saint.
Amazing Legends
Many stories are told about Francis of Paola. One famous story says that in 1464, a boatman refused to take him across the Strait of Messina to Sicily. Francis then reportedly spread his cloak on the water, tied one end to his staff like a sail, and sailed across the strait with his friends following in the boat. The composer Franz Liszt even wrote music about this story.
Another story tells of Francis bringing his nephew back to life. After his nephew died, Francis's sister was very sad. She asked Francis for comfort. After prayers for the boy, Francis had the body brought to his cell. He prayed until, to everyone's surprise, the boy came back to life. Francis then presented him to his mother, perfectly healthy. The young man later joined Francis's order.
There are also several stories about Francis's kindness to animals. He was said to have brought animals back to life after they had been killed for food. For example, one story tells of his favorite trout, named 'Antonella'. A priest caught and cooked the trout. When Francis asked for Antonella, the priest threw the cooked fish on the ground. Francis's follower gathered the pieces and brought them to Francis. Francis put the pieces back in the pool, prayed, and Antonella became whole again, swimming happily.
Another story is about his pet lamb, Martinello. Some workmen killed and ate Martinello. When Francis asked about his lamb, they told him they had eaten it and thrown the bones and wool into a furnace. Francis went to the furnace, looked into the fire, and called, "Martinello, come out!" The lamb jumped out, perfectly fine, and happily bleated when he saw his master.
These stories show that Francis of Paola cared deeply for animals. He even called them by name after they had died, suggesting he believed they continued to exist.
Legacy and Recognition
Pope Leo X made Francis a saint in 1519. He is known as a patron saint of boatmen, sailors, and naval officers. The Catholic Church celebrates his feast day on April 2, the day he died. In 1963, Pope John XXIII named him the patron saint of Calabria. Francis performed many miracles, but he was made a saint for his humility and his ability to combine a life of prayer with active service.
The Order of Minims was never very large, but they had monasteries in many countries. The final rules for the order were approved in 1506 by Pope Julius II. He also approved rules for the nuns of the order and a "Third Order" for people living in the world. A famous member of this order was the French bishop, Francis de Sales. Even though the Minim order lost many monasteries during the French Revolution, it still exists today, mostly in Italy.
In 1562, a group of Protestant Huguenots in France disturbed Francis's tomb. His body was found to be incorrupt (not decayed). His remains were later gathered by Catholic followers and shared as relics among different churches of his order.
Images for kids
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A robot for kids.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco de Paula (santo) para niños
- San Francesco di Paola, Naples
