St. Francis Caracciolo

St. Francis Caracciolo - June 4th

This Italian Saint lived like other young noblemen, even though he was a devout Christian and very charitable. He loved all sports, but his favorite was hunting. Then when he was twenty-two, a disease something like leprosy brought him very close to death. While he was sick, he thought about the emptiness of the pleasures of the world and the happiness of those who serve God alone. So he made a vow that if he got better, he would dedicate his life to God. The disease left him so fast that it seemed a miracle, and the young man began his studies to become a priest.

Later, the new priest joined a group who were devoted to caring for prisoners and preparing condemned criminals to die a good death. But his great mission was began when he and another priest, John Augustine Adorno, started the Congregation of Minor Clerks Regular.

When John Adorno died, Francis was chosen superior, even though he did not want the honor. So humble was he that he used to sign his letters, “Francis the sinner.” And he took his turn, like the other priest, in sweeping floors, making beds, and washing dishes. He often spent almost the whole night praying in church, and he wanted all the priest to spend at least one hour a day in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

St. Francis spoke so often and so well about God’s love for us that he was called, “Preacher of the Love of God.” he carefully guarded his purity and converted some evil women who tried to make him sin. Always he practiced mortifications of every kind.

Just before he died, St. Francis suddenly cried, “Let’s go!” “Where do you want to go?” asked the priest by his bed. “To Heaven! To Heaven!” came the answer in a clear, happy voice. And right afterwards, the Saint died.

Good times are not enough to fill our hearts. Let us use some of our free time doing something worthwhile so that our life, too, may be useful.