Francis Caracciolo
Francis Caracciolo was an Italian Catholic priest and co-founder of the Order of the Clerics Regular Minor. He is remembered for his profound devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and his zealous service to God and his fellow man, often described as "The Preacher of the Love of God." His life was marked by a miraculous healing, a vow to religious service, and the establishment of a rigorous religious order.
- Feast Day
- June 4
- Century
- 17th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Born Ascanio dei Caracciolo Pisquizi on October 13, 1563, in Villa Santa Maria, Kingdom of Naples.
- ›Co-founded the Order of the Clerics Regular Minor with John Augustine Adorno and Fabrizio Caracciolo in 1588.
- ›Adopted a religious life at age 22 after a seemingly miraculous recovery from a serious skin malady.
- ›Served as Superior General of his order from 1593 to 1601, undertaking three journeys to Spain to establish foundations.
- ›Known for his deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, spending many hours in adoration.
- ›Beatified by Pope Clement XIV in 1769 and canonized by Pope Pius VII in 1807.
Ascanio dei Caracciolo Pisquizi, Francesco Caracciolo, The Preacher of the Love of God
Naples, Italian Cooks
Clerics Regular Minor
Heart Burnt Up, Imprinted Words: "Zelus Domus Tuæ Comedit Me"
About Francis Caracciolo
Francis Caracciolo (born Ascanio dei Caracciolo Pisquizi on October 13, 1563 – died June 4, 1608) was an Italian Catholic priest who co-founded the Order of the Clerics Regular Minor. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and is particularly remembered for his intense devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and his commitment to a life of penance and service.
Early Life and Vow
Born in Villa Santa Maria in the Kingdom of Naples, Francis Caracciolo, then named Ascanio, was known for his gentleness from a young age. At the age of 22, he suffered a severe skin malady, then described as "leprosy," from which he was not expected to recover. Facing death, he vowed to dedicate his life to the service of God and humanity if he regained his health. His rapid and seemingly miraculous recovery led him to pursue studies for the priesthood in Naples.
Founding the Order of the Clerics Regular Minor
In 1588, a letter intended for Fabrizio Caracciolo, inviting him to help found a new religious institute, was mistakenly delivered to the newly ordained priest. Francis interpreted this as a sign of divine will and assisted in drafting the rules for the congregation, which was approved by Pope Sixtus V. The Order of the Clerics Regular Minor, also known as the "Adorno Fathers," was established as both contemplative and active, with circular adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as a central practice. A distinctive fourth vow was added, prohibiting members from aspiring to ecclesiastical dignities outside or within the order. Upon making his profession on Low Sunday, April 9, 1589, he adopted the name Francis in honor of Francis of Assisi.
Superior General and Ministry
Francis Caracciolo served as Superior General of the order from March 9, 1593, to 1601. Despite his leadership role, he insisted on performing simple tasks and spent many hours in the confessional, where he was reputed to possess gifts of prophecy and heart-reading. He also engaged in acts of charity, begging in the streets for the poor and distributing his possessions. His devotion to the Blessed Sacrament was profound, often spending entire nights in adoration. He made three journeys to Spain to establish foundations for his order and secured several churches in Rome for the institute.
Later Years and Death
After seven years as general superior, Francis resigned due to the strain of establishing and extending the order, which involved facing opposition and calumnies. He was then named prior of Santa Maria Maggiore and novice-master, continuing his apostolic work as a preacher, known as "The Preacher of the Love of God." Hagiographies attribute to him many miraculous healings through the sign of the cross. He died on June 4, 1608, in Agnone, Molise, while attempting to found a religious house there, shortly after being seized by a fever.
Veneration
Francis Caracciolo was beatified by Pope Clement XIV on June 4, 1769, and canonized by Pope Pius VII on May 24, 1807. His feast day is celebrated on June 4. He was chosen as a patron saint of Naples in 1838 and is also recognized as the patron saint of Italian cooks. His heart, found after his death to be "burnt up," bore the inscription "Zelus domus Tuæ comedit me" ("The zeal of Thy house hath consumed me"), reflecting his consuming passion for God's house.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Francis Caracciolo born and when did he die?
Francis Caracciolo was born on October 13, 1563, and died on June 4, 1608. He was 44 years old at the time of his death.
What religious order did Francis Caracciolo found?
Francis Caracciolo co-founded the Order of the Clerics Regular Minor with John Augustine Adorno and Fabrizio Caracciolo. This order is also known as the "Adorno Fathers."
What is Francis Caracciolo most remembered for?
He is most noted and remembered for his profound devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, spending almost the entire night in adoration. He was also called "The Preacher of the Love of God" for his moving discourses on divine goodness.
What unusual vow did the Order of the Clerics Regular Minor take?
In addition to the usual three vows, members of the Order of the Clerics Regular Minor take a fourth vow: they must not aspire to ecclesiastical dignities outside the order nor seek them within it.
What happened to Francis Caracciolo's heart after his death?
After his death, Francis Caracciolo's heart was found as though burnt up, with the words "Zelus domus Tuæ comedit me"—"The zeal of Thy house hath consumed me"—imprinted around it.
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