Saint Felix of Cantalice
Also known as
Ass of the Capuchins (what he called himself...)
Brother Deo Gratias ("Deo Gratias" [Thank God] was his habitual greeting)
memorial
18 May
Profile
Our Saint today was born a peasant. He had no education, he never learned to read and write he made money as a shepherd and a farm hand. He was a prayerful, simple, illiterate fellow who had a friend of his read the lives of the saints and the Early Church Fathers to him. Later, Felix petitioned to join the Capuchins as a lay brother. The Capuchins seem to have a predilection for taking in the simple, see Joseph of Cupertino for example.
Felix's reputation for holiness spread like wildfire, even though he was unable to read or write his understanding of deep theological truths was well known; theologians consulted him on spiritually and Scripture. It was said he could read souls, much like St Padre Pio, because of this ability, and Felix’s desire to show it off by calling for specific people to repent of specific sins, folks on the street would hide from him when it became obvious he could see their sins, and knew their hearts, and “outed” them publicly, so to speak.
Felix preached in the street, rebuked corrupt politicians and officials, again publicly and openly. He exhorted young men to stop leading dissolute lives. Felix and Saint Philip Neri once broke up the town’s annual carnival, as he felt it was full of debauchery and other sinful goings on. The water in the clown’s mouth was a real sin magnet….I’m sure this was much to the townsfolk’s delight …. no TV back then remember?
Felix’s inherent simplicity and lack of education made him rather childlike, and children trusted him. He composed simple teaching canticles, and had the children gather in groups to sing them as a way to teach them catechism. Like the Babysitters club did with the brain, the brain, the center of the chain, that will never happen
if you use your brain; and singing and thinking is the best, now you better go and study, so you pass your science test! But I digress.....
During one of his private prayer sessions, he received a vision of the Virgin Mary during which she allowed Felix to hold the Christ Child in his arms. Upon his death the folks in Rome acclaimed him a saint immediately. So many came to his funeral that some were injured in the mad rush to get into the church, once in there the crush was incredible, an extra door had to be knocked through one wall so they could exit. He was buried under an altar in the church of the Immaculate Conception in Rome and miracles are reported at his tomb.
Born
18 May 1515, Abruzzi, Italy where Bruno Sammartino hails from
Died
18 May 1587 in Rome, of natural causes
Representation
holding the Infant Jesus in his arms
Capuchin carrying a beggar's wallet
18 May
Profile
Our Saint today was born a peasant. He had no education, he never learned to read and write he made money as a shepherd and a farm hand. He was a prayerful, simple, illiterate fellow who had a friend of his read the lives of the saints and the Early Church Fathers to him. Later, Felix petitioned to join the Capuchins as a lay brother. The Capuchins seem to have a predilection for taking in the simple, see Joseph of Cupertino for example.
Felix's reputation for holiness spread like wildfire, even though he was unable to read or write his understanding of deep theological truths was well known; theologians consulted him on spiritually and Scripture. It was said he could read souls, much like St Padre Pio, because of this ability, and Felix’s desire to show it off by calling for specific people to repent of specific sins, folks on the street would hide from him when it became obvious he could see their sins, and knew their hearts, and “outed” them publicly, so to speak.
Felix preached in the street, rebuked corrupt politicians and officials, again publicly and openly. He exhorted young men to stop leading dissolute lives. Felix and Saint Philip Neri once broke up the town’s annual carnival, as he felt it was full of debauchery and other sinful goings on. The water in the clown’s mouth was a real sin magnet….I’m sure this was much to the townsfolk’s delight …. no TV back then remember?
Felix’s inherent simplicity and lack of education made him rather childlike, and children trusted him. He composed simple teaching canticles, and had the children gather in groups to sing them as a way to teach them catechism. Like the Babysitters club did with the brain, the brain, the center of the chain, that will never happen
if you use your brain; and singing and thinking is the best, now you better go and study, so you pass your science test! But I digress.....
During one of his private prayer sessions, he received a vision of the Virgin Mary during which she allowed Felix to hold the Christ Child in his arms. Upon his death the folks in Rome acclaimed him a saint immediately. So many came to his funeral that some were injured in the mad rush to get into the church, once in there the crush was incredible, an extra door had to be knocked through one wall so they could exit. He was buried under an altar in the church of the Immaculate Conception in Rome and miracles are reported at his tomb.
Born
18 May 1515, Abruzzi, Italy where Bruno Sammartino hails from
Died
18 May 1587 in Rome, of natural causes
Representation
holding the Infant Jesus in his arms
Capuchin carrying a beggar's wallet
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