Pacificus Baker facts for kids

Pacificus Baker (born 1695, died 1774) was an English friar. He was part of the Franciscans, a Catholic religious group. Baker was known as an important writer in the 1700s. He wrote books to help people with their spiritual life.

His Life and Work

Pacificus Baker was a Franciscan friar from England. Friars are like monks, but they often live and work among regular people. He held important roles in his religious order. He was chosen twice to be the leader (called "Minister Provincial") for the English Franciscans. This happened in 1761 and again in 1770.

He often worked at the chapel of the Sardinian Embassy in London. This was a special place where Catholics could worship when their religion was not fully accepted in England. He was also present at a big event in 1747, when a Scottish nobleman named Lord Lovat was executed.

Why His Books Were Important

Baker's books were mostly guides for prayer and meditation. They helped people understand the Blessed Sacrament (a special part of Catholic worship) and the Church's yearly calendar. His writings became very popular.

At that time, there were not many Catholic priests in Britain. This meant many Catholics could not attend church services often. Baker's books helped these people feel connected to their faith. His guides showed them how to pray and worship at home. This way, they could still follow the Church's traditions.

His books were also popular with Catholics living far away, like on the American frontier. They provided a way for isolated believers to practice their faith. One person in the 1800s described Baker's work as "remarkable for being heartfelt, strong, and balanced."

Pacificus Baker passed away in London on March 16, 1774.

What He Wrote

Here are some of the books Pacificus Baker wrote:

• The Devout Christian's Companion for Holy Days, 1757
• Holy Altar and Sacrifice explained in some familiar dialogues on the Mass, 1768
• A Lenten Monitor to Christians, 1769
• The Christian Advent, 1782
• Sundays kept holy, 1772
• The Devout Communicant, 1761
• Essay on the Cord of St. Francis
• Scripture Antiquity
• Meditations on the Lord's Prayer (translated from French)