Saint Didacus of Alcalá

Life story

Didacus (Diego) was born around 1400 at San Nicolás del Puerto in Andalusia, to a poor but devout family. He was placed under the direction of a hermit near his home and lived as a hermit. He then applied at the friary of Arizafa near Córdoba and was received as a Franciscan lay brother.

In 1445 he was chosen guardian of the Franciscan community on the island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. The Catholic Encyclopedia notes that making a lay brother superior was an exception to the usual rule. He served there until 1449, when he was recalled to Spain.

In 1450 he went to Rome for the Jubilee year and the canonization of Saint Bernardine of Siena. There he worked as infirmarian at the convent of Ara Coeli, caring for many sick people. His biographers record that many were cured through his intercession; this is a hagiographic account and has not been verified.

His superiors later sent him to the friary of Santa María de Jesús at Alcalá, where he spent his last years in penance and contemplation and died on 12 November 1463. Tradition also says that loaves he carried for the poor turned into roses, and that people were healed by touching his body; these are traditions. Pope Sixtus V canonized him in 1588.

Works and witness

• Applied to the friary of Arizafa near Córdoba and became a Franciscan lay brother
• Guardian of the Franciscan community on Fuerteventura from 1445 to 1449
• Nursed the sick at the Ara Coeli convent in Rome in 1450
• Died at Alcalá on 12 November 1463
• Canonized by Pope Sixtus V in 1588

Saints from the same country

Saint Dominic, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Francis Xavier

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia (1908), entry St. Didacus (New Advent, cathen/04781a)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.