Saint Didacus

Jun 282009

[painting of Saint Didacus]
Also known as

Diego
Diaz

13 November (Roman Calendar)
12 November (Order of Friars Minor)

Profile

Didacus loved and felt drawn to the solitary life from his youth, and when still young he became a hermit who supported himself by weaving mats. Franciscan lay-brother at the convent of Arizafa. Though he lacked a formal education, he was sought out for his insights into the Christian life.

Sent as a missionary to the Canary Islands in 1442, he went with the belief that he would be martyred. Superior of the community at Fuerteventura, Spain. Converted many by his preaching and example, and returned unharmed to Spain in 1449.

Sent to Rome, Italy in 1450 for the canonization of Saint Bernardine of Siena. An epidemic broke out among the gathered Franciscans, and Didacus worked himself to exhaustion to help his brothers; reported to have miraculously cured many of the sick. He then returned to Spain and spent the rest of his life as a prayerful at Alcala.