Saint Francis Caracciolo, Confessor
S. Francisci Caracciolo Confessoris
Saint Francis Caracciolo was an Italian priest of noble birth who, in the late sixteenth century, founded the Order of the Minor Clerks Regular, devoting himself to prayer, penance, and perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Saint Francis Caracciolo was born in the Abruzzi region of Italy in 1563, of a noble family related to that of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Baptised Ascanio, he was turned wholly toward God in his early manhood by a severe illness, after which he gave himself to the service of the poor and the dying, renounced his inheritance, and was ordained a priest at Naples.
Founder of the Minor Clerks Regular
By a remarkable providence, a letter intended for another man of the same surname came into his hands, inviting him to join in establishing a new religious community. Francis took this as a call from God. Together with John Augustine Adorno he founded, with the approval of Pope Sixtus V in 1588, the Order of the Minor Clerks Regular. To the three usual vows the new institute added a fourth: not to seek any office or dignity in the Church. The members bound themselves to works of charity — serving prisoners, the sick, and those condemned to death — and above all to the unceasing adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament, the brethren taking turns so that one was always kneeling before the altar.
A life of prayer and penance
On the death of Adorno, Francis was chosen as superior, an office he accepted only under obedience and discharged with great humility, often performing the lowliest household tasks himself. He was known for long hours of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, where he was sometimes found rapt in contemplation, and for his rigorous penances. He laboured to spread his order in Italy and Spain, and his zeal earned him the name of a “preacher of divine love.” Worn out by his labours, he died at Agnone in 1608, at the age of forty-four. He was canonised by Pope Pius VII in 1807.
His witness today
In Saint Francis the Church sets before us a man wholly captivated by the love of Our Lord present in the Eucharist. The prayer of his feast asks that, in imitation of him, the faithful may so advance in constant prayer and self-denial as to come at length to the glory of heaven. His example reminds us that adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a wellspring of charity toward our neighbour.
The Collect
O God, who didst adorn blessed Francis, founder of a new Order, with zeal for prayer and love of penance: grant unto Thy servants so to advance by imitating him, that, ever praying and bringing the body into subjection, they may be found worthy to attain to heavenly glory. Through our Lord.
Deus, qui beátum Francíscum, novi órdinis institutórem, orándi stúdio et pœniténtiæ amóre decorásti: da fámulis tuis in ejus imitatióne ita profícere; ut, semper orántes et corpus in servitútem redigéntes, ad caeléstem glóriam perveníre mereántur. Per Dóminum.
Patronage
He is venerated as the founder of the Minor Clerks Regular (the Adorno Fathers) and is honoured as a patron of the city of Naples and of Italian cooks.
In the Modern Calendar
In the modern calendar his feast is observed on 4 June as an optional memorial.
Common Questions
When is the feast of Saint Francis Caracciolo?
His feast is kept on 4 June in the calendar of the 1962 Roman Missal, as a Third Class feast.
Who was Saint Francis Caracciolo?
He was an Italian priest of noble birth (1563–1608) who founded the Order of the Minor Clerks Regular, a community devoted to charity and to perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. He was canonised in 1807.
What was distinctive about his religious order?
Besides the usual vows, his order took a fourth vow never to seek ecclesiastical office, and the brethren kept up unceasing adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, one of them always kneeling before the altar.
See where this feast falls in the Church’s year on the liturgical calendar, or find a Traditional Latin Mass near you.
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