Saint Francis of Paola

A Hidden Friar and a Popular Pope - Catholic Insight

This April the second marks the memorial of Saint Francis of Paola (1417-1507), founder of the ‘Minim’ friars, so called for their humility and poverty, who interpreted the rule of Saint Francis of Assisi in quite a literal sense: extreme poverty, trust in God, foregoing all animal and animal-derived products – true vegans for God! But Francis did so for spiritual, ascetic and redemptive reasons, which makes all the difference. His parents, who …

Saint Francis of Paola

Saint Francis of Paola, the progenitor of the Order of Minims, emerged into the world in 1416 at Paula, Calabria, Italy. Born to parents distinguished by their devoutness, Francis was their firstborn, arriving after years of their prayers for offspring, fervently invoking St. Francis of Assisi’s intercession. An affliction threatening his vision as a child was healed following his parents’ vow to St. Francis of Assisi, leading to a year spent in…

St. Francis of Paola (Hermit)

St. Francis of Paola was born in 1416 in the town of Paola, in southern Italy. From a young age, he was drawn to a life of solitude, prayer, and penance. At just 13, he lived in a cave near his hometown, embracing a hermit’s life with radical simplicity and devotion to God. Over time, others were drawn to his holiness, and a small community formed around him. This led to the founding of the Minims, a religious order committed to humility, asceti…

Who was Saint Francis of Paola? Saint Francis of Paola was born on 27 March 1416 in Paola, Calabria. He is known as the founder of the Order of the Minims, a religious order that stands out for its humility and austerity. From a young age, Francis showed a strong desire to dedicate himself to religious life, retiring to a hermitage to live in prayer and penance. His reputation for holiness spread rapidly, attracting numerous followers. The path …