St. Francis of Paola

 Back to my time in Rome tonight with another Saint that I found lurking in the background of one of my pictures. I'm trying to keep with the Rome theme, but I'm running short on Saints that I got pictures of. 

Francis of Paola was born in 1416 in Paola, Kingdom of Naples, to parents who were poor, pious and hardworking people. They prayed to St. Francis of Assisi for his intercession to have a son and so named their son after him. At 13, he was placed in a convent of Franciscan Friars where he learned to read. From that time, he abstained from wearing linen and eating meat. After a year, he opted to withdraw and live in solitude. He remained alone for about 6 years, devoting himself to prayer and self-mortification. 

When he was 20, Francis was joined by two other devoutly inclined persons. This marked the beginning of the religious order The Hermits of St. Francis of Assisi. The rule was formally approved by Pope Alexander VI in 1474, who also changed the name of the order to Minims (i.e. the "least of all the faithful.")

When King Louis XI of France was terminally ill, he sent to beg Francis to visit him. Francis travelled to the king's side and was with him as he died. He then became a tutor of the heir, Charles VIII, who retained him at court. The regard that Charles VIII held for Francis was shared by his successor, Louis XII. Francis was now eager to return to Italy, but the kings of France insisted that he remain there. He never left France.

Francis' life was marked by many miracles and acts of wonder. On one occasion, when there was a house fire with the occupants trapped inside, Francis walked into the blaze. Moments later, to everyone's amazement, he emerged with every single occupant safe and unharmed. Despite being surrounded by fire, his robes remained untouched and his body unscathed. He is sometimes known as "Francis the Fire Handler."

On Holy Thursday in 1507, he gathered his community around himself and exhorted them to have mutual charity and not to relax the rigor of their life. The next day, Good Friday, he again assembled them all, gave them his last instructions and passed away at the age of 91. His feast day is April 2.

St. Francis of Paola, pray for us.