The Christophers: Calabrian Saint’s Path to God

Fr. Ed Dougherty, M.M.

The Christophers’ Board of Directors

We opened this month with the April 2nd celebration of the Feast of Saint Francis of Paola, the patron saint of the southern Italian region of Calabria and founder of the Order of Minims. He was born in Calabria in 1416 to poor parents who were childless until they prayed for the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi. Soon after, they had a son and named him Francis in honor of the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi on their behalf.

When he was a teenager, Francis of Paola spent a year in a Franciscan friary where it is said that he outdid the friars in observing their Rule. However, after joining his parents on a pilgrimage, first to Assisi and then to Rome, he returned with them to Calabria, where he retreated to a life of prayer and solitude. By the age of 20, his holy and devout life attracted others to join him, and a fledgling community began, centered around a chapel built with help from the people of the area.

In 1467, Pope Paul II sent Baltasar de Spigno, a priest and jurist of the Church, to examine the community. Baltasar at first reproached Francis for excessive austerity because, in addition to the traditional mendicant disciplines of poverty, chastity, and obedience, Francis had added a fourth vow, which was to abstain from meat in the spirit of a Lenten observance—but to do so year-round. At the time, fasting during Lent was falling out of practice, and Baltasar saw this and other austerities practiced by Francis and his followers as backward and unbefitting the standards of educated people of the time.

But it did not take long for Baltasar to be won over by the fruits of Francis of Paola’s approach because it was evident that so many people had been inspired by his humble way. For instance, when Francis set out to build a large monastery and church, people of the surrounding countryside responded with an outburst of enthusiasm. Even local nobility joined in carrying stones to erect the structure. Francis went on to became known in his lifetime for intercessory prayers that resulted in miracles.

Francis’ community was recommended for acceptance within a year of Baltasar’s visit, and by 1470 Baltasar had joined the community himself. They were initially given the name Congregation of Hermits of Saint Francis of Assisi, and they went on to found communities throughout Italy and beyond.

Francis of Paola’s renown spread throughout Europe to the point where he was once summoned to the deathbed of King Louis XI of France. Though Francis resisted, the pope ordered him to go. On his way to minister to the dying king, Francis met with people suffering from a plague of the time. Many credited his intercession with their healing.

Francis of Paola’s path from hermit to leader in the faith demonstrates how God is at work even in the quietest moments of our lives. In his retreat to a life of prayer, Francis was discovering a deeper, interior relationship with Christ. And though his efforts began in solitude, he was being prepared to lead others to God, and this became the foundation for his community to flourish. So, we can take a lesson from the life of Saint Francis of Paola and remember that a relationship with God is the starting point for all great things in life.

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