Saint Felix of Cantalice

Life story

Felix was born in Cantalice, on the northwestern edge of the Abruzzi, to poor farming parents; biographies give 1515 as his birth year. From childhood he worked as a shepherd and then as a farm labourer for a landowner near Cittàducale, and he did so for over twenty years. He spent his free time in prayer.

He asked to join the Capuchins, who hesitated at first, and received the habit as a lay brother in 1543 at Anticoli. In 1547 he was sent to Rome as the community's questor, or alms-gatherer, and he stayed there for the rest of his life. He could not read, went barefoot with a sack on his shoulder, and answered every gift with the words Deo gratias. He also composed simple songs to teach children.

He knew Saint Philip Neri, and Saint Charles Borromeo is said to have consulted him when drawing up rules for the Oblates. During the famine of 1580 the city's officials asked that he be allowed to collect food for the hungry, and he worked tirelessly at it. He died in Rome on 18 May 1587. Urban VIII beatified him in 1625 and Clement XI canonized him in 1712; he was the first Capuchin saint. He is buried in the church of the Immaculate Conception in Rome. He is usually shown holding the Christ Child, after a tradition of a vision.

Works and witness

• Worked as a shepherd and farm labourer for over twenty years before entering religious life
• Received the Capuchin habit in 1543
• Served as questor for the Capuchin community in Rome from 1547 until his death
• Taught children with songs he composed and collected food during the famine of 1580
• Died on 18 May 1587; canonized in 1712

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia (mirrored at catholic.com), 'Felix of Cantalice, Saint'

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