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Saint Francis Solano
Image: Attributed to Pedro Diaz · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Saint Francis Solano

The Spanish Franciscan who preached across Peru and the Tucumán region

Rank
Saint
Kind
Missionary, Priest, Religious
Life
1549 – 1610
Era
17th century
Feast
14 July
Countries
Peru, Spain, Argentina
ArgentinaPeruSpain

Life story

Francis Solano was born on 10 March 1549 in Montilla, near Córdoba in Andalusia, Spain. He entered the Franciscan order in his home region, was ordained a priest and became known as a zealous preacher. In his early years he worked in pastoral care and in the training of friars, until he asked to be sent as a missionary to the New World.

In 1589 he crossed to Peru. Biographical sources say he travelled across vast areas, including the Tucumán region, now in northern Argentina, and learned the languages of the native peoples so as to teach them. He preached to and baptised many people, and also reminded Spanish colonists about the way they lived. According to tradition, he often accompanied his singing and his teaching of the catechism with a violin.

Around 1601 he was called to Lima, the capital of the viceroyalty of Peru, and worked there in his last years. In the city he preached in public places, visited the sick and held offices within his order. Lima in his day suffered earthquakes and epidemics, and many remembered him for being close to ordinary people. His work in the viceroyalty is remembered among the early Franciscan missions in South America, and his order has long honoured him as one of its missionary saints.

He died on 14 July 1610 in Lima. He was beatified in 1675 and canonised by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726. The Church keeps his feast on 14 July.

Works and witness

  • Joined the Franciscans in Spain and was ordained a priest
  • Sailed to Peru in 1589 as a missionary
  • Preached in the Tucumán region and learned native languages to teach the catechism
  • According to tradition, played the violin when singing and teaching
  • Worked in Lima from about 1601 until his death in 1610

Saints from the same country

Saint Rose of Lima, Saint Martin de Porres, Saint John Macias, Saint James the Greater

References

  • Martyrologium Romanum
  • Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
  • Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), entry Francis Solanus

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