Francis’ parents were childless for many years until, through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi, they were granted three children. When he was born in 1416, the couple named their first son after the great saint, and Francis came to emulate the man from Assisi throughout his whole life.

Francis went on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi with his parents when he was a teenager. When they returned to his hometown of Paola, he took on the life of a hermit by living in a cave outside of the city, with the permission of his parents—he was barely 15 years old. He began to attract followers and he organized them into a religious community built around penance, humility, and love. The people of the surrounding area loved the brothers so much, they helped build a monastery for the community. Several other monasteries in this order sprang up in Italy—known as the Minims, their community still serves people today.

As he grew and matured, he was given the ability to read people’s minds and hearts, and worked many miracles. He cared greatly for the poor and those who were oppressed, and he spoke out against rulers in Italy, though they cared little for his advice. The king of Naples sent to have him imprisoned for speaking out against his sons, but when the guard met Francis, he was overcome by the man’s holiness and humility. He returned and convinced the king to leave Francis alone.

The king of France, Louis XI, was on his deathbed, terrified to die, when he heard about Francis, and thought that perhaps Francis could cure him. He petitioned the pope to have Francis travel to France, and Francis obeyed, but was unable to cure Louis. “The lives of kings are in the hands of God and have their appointed limits,” he told the king.

Francis did help the king prepare for death, however, and the king died in the arms of the holy man. Charles VIII, son of the king, kept Francis close for his wisdom, and helped build several more monasteries for Francis’ order. Francis used his position to influence the politics of his day—his counsel helped France restore peace between England and Spain, for example.

Francis lived the rest of his days in the monasteries Charles built for his order in France, and died there at the age of 91 on this date in 1507, which happened to be Good Friday.

In 1562, Protestant dissidents broke open his tomb, and found his remains incorrupt. They burned his body, but Catholics gathered his bones and preserved them as relics, some of which rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica. His image is used here with permission from Catholic.org.

St. Francis of Paola, you advised kings and could read people’s hearts, pray for us!