April 2
Saints of the Day

Saint Francis of Paola, 1416-1507
The Italian who wanted to be a hermit but became an incredible miracle-worker,  influenced the course of nations and founded the Franciscan Order of Minim Friars. Incorrupt body

    Francis of Paola was a man who deeply loved contemplative solitude and wished only to be the "least in the household of God." Yet, when the Church called him to active service in the world, he became an incredible miracle-worker and influenced the course of nations.

    In 1464 Francis wanted to cross the Straits of Messina to reach Sicily, but a boatman refused to take him. Francis laid his cloak on the water, tied one end to his staff to make a sail, and sailed across with his companions. Franz Liszt wrote a piece of music inspired by the incident.
    While building a convent one worker was killed and smashed by a huge rock... Francis resurrected him.
    He struck a rock and water gushed forth. He did this favor for thirsty workmen who were building his monastery in Calabria, Italy. The water to this day falls into a natural basin... Francis once threw a dead cooked trout into the basin and the fish came back to life.

    He founding of the Hermits of Saint Francis of Assisi, and in 1492 they were renamed the Franciscan Order of Minim Friars, (minimi), which means they count themselves the least of the family of God.

    He influence the course of national politics, helping restore peace between France and Brittany by advising a marriage between the ruling families, and between France and Spain by persuading Louis XI to return some disputed land.

    Francis died on Good Friday at the age of 91 while still at court in France. In 1562 Huguenots broke open his tomb, found his body incorrupt, and burned it.

Born 1416 at Paola, Calabria, Italy

Died 2 April 1507 at Plessis, France

Canonized 1512 by Pope Julius II

Images Gallery of images of Saint Francis

Additional Information

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintf02.htm
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.asp?id=1341
http://www.monksofadoration.org/Paola.html
St. Francis de Paola
St. Francis of Paula 

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Readings

Fix your minds on the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Inflamed with love for us, he came down from heaven to redeem us. For our sake he endured every torment of body and soul and shrank from no bodily pain. He himself gave us an example of perfect patience and love. We, then, are to be patient in adversity.

Take pains to refrain from sharp words. Pardon one another so that later on you will not remember the injury. The recollection of an injury is itself wrong. It adds to our anger, nurtures our sins and hates what is good. It is a rusty arrow and poison for the soul. It puts all virtue to flight.

Be peace-loving. Peace is a precious treasure to be sought with great zeal. You are well aware that our sins arouse God's anger. You must change your life, therefore, so that God in his mercy will pardon you. What we conceal from men is known to God. Be converted, then, with a sincere heart. Live your life that you may receive the blessing of the Lord. Then the peace of God our Father will be with you always. from a letter by Saint Francis of Paola