| Saint Felix of Cantalica | |
|---|---|
 Felix of Cantalica, by Peter Paul Rubens |
|
| Born | 1515, Cantalice, Italy |
| Died | 1587 |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholicism |
| Beatified | May 18, 1625 by Pope Urban VIII |
| Canonized | 1709 by Pope Clement XI |
| Feast | May 18 |
| Attributes | Capuchin habit; holding the Baby Jesus |
| Patronage | Spello |
 Saints Portal |
|
St. Felix of Cantalica was born to peasant parents in Cantalice, Italy. As a boy he worked hard as a farm laborer and shepherd, and, in 1543, became a Capuchin lay brother at the Citta Ducale Monastery in Anticoli Corrado. It is said that he was well noted for his piety. In 1547 he was sent to Rome as questor and spent his remaining 38 years aiding the sick and the poor. In Rome, Felix preached in the street, rebuked corrupt politicians and officials, and exhorted young men to stop leading dissolute lives. He also composed simple teaching canticles, and arranged for children to gather in groups to sing them as a way to teach them catechism. Felix was revered by all and was a companion of St. Philip Neri. He helped to revise St. Charles Borromeo's rules for his order of Oblates. St. Felix was buried in Rome at Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini. He was beatified on 1 October 1625 by Pope Urban VIII and canonized on 22 May 1712 by Pope Clement XI. His feast day is May 18.
See also
External links
- The enigmatic coats of arms of St. Felix
- Index of Roman Catholic Saints
- St. Felix of Cantalice. Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
- Felix of Cantalice. Catholic Forum. Retrieved on 2007-05-23.
- (Italian) San Felice da Cantalice
