2nd April - Saint Francis of Paola - Independent Catholic News

2nd April 

- Saint Francis of Paola - Independent Catholic News: Patron saint of seafarers. Founder of the Franciscan Minim Friars, Born at Paola in Calabria, in 1416, St Francis lived at a friary for a year when he was 13. He made a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, and then became a hermit living in a cave overlooking the sea. When he was 20, he was joined by two companions. The neighbours built them a chapel and cells to live in. Later others came. The Friars were called the Minims and were approved by the Pope in 1474. There was usually only one priest in each community. They followed the Franciscan ideal.