St. Francis of Paola | Saint of the Day | April 2

SAINT FRANCIS OF PAOLA
HERMIT

Francis was born at Paola (Calabria), Italy, in 1416. After three years in a convent of the Friars Minnor, he left to withdraw to a cave by the sea, where he led a life pf prayer, fasting, work, and mortification. He was joined by many followers, leading to the formation of the Hermits of St. Francis, later called the Minims (Minimi fratres, “least brethren”), with a rule approved in 1506. Francis was called to France by Louis XI and died there in 1507. He was canonized in 1519.
He is depicted with a ling beard and wears a brown habit, the word charitas inscribed within a sun can appear at the top of a cane or on the cover of a book. He is invoked against sterility.