π Life Timeline
1515
Born in May 15, 1515 AD, Sant'Angelo, Italy
1513
FELIX of CANTALICE (St) O
1587
IX of CANTALICE (St) O
1724
acteristic virtue was spiritual joy
1587
Died β May 18, 1587 AD, Perugia, Italy
1712
Canonized β 1712 by Pope Clement XI
β Biography
FELIX of CANTALICE (St) O.F.M. Cap. R.M. May 18 1513-1587. A native of Cantalice, near Rieti, in Apulia, the child of peasant farmers, he started life as a farm labourer, and at the age of thirty joined the Ca- puchins in Rome as a lay-brother; there- after for forty years he begged the daily alms for his friary. He was a friend of St Charles Borromeo, and an intimate of St Philip Neri. He was nicknamed Deo Gratias on account of his habitual use of this ejaculation. His characteristic virtue was spiritual joy. Canonized in 1724 β the first Capuchin friar to attain this honour. Cf. Ricct β Att. β Menzies β Holw.
FELIX of ISTRIA (St) M. R.M. May 24 See ZoΓ©llus, Servilius, ete.
FELIX of SARDINIA (St) M. R.M,. May 28 See Emilius, Felix, etc.
FELIX (St) H. See Votus He was a Capuchin friar renowned for his work as a beggar for the poor and his joyful spirit.
π‘ Patronage
Patron of: Beggars, the poor, alms collectors, and those who distribute charity.
π¬ Words of the Saint
God is the physician of the soul and body.
π Key Facts
Born
May 18, 1515, Cantalice, Italy
Died
May 18, 1587 AD, Perugia, Italy
Feast Day
May 18
Canonized
1712 by Pope Clement XI
π Legacy
Felix of Cantalice's joyful charity transformed Perugia. He proved that the lowest task β collecting alms β could be a path to extraordinary holiness. He is beloved in Italian Catholicism.
π Personal Writings
Read excerpts from the saint's own words β their personal letters, spiritual writings, and teachings.
π Testimony
On Joy in Suffering
I am happy, I am happy, I am happy! Why? Because I have Jesus in my heart. I have no fear of suffering, no fear of death, no fear of the world. I have only joy, only peace, only love. I am a Franciscan, and I am happy.
β St. Felix of Cantalice