Paschal Baylon
Paschal Baylón was a Spanish Franciscan lay brother venerated for his deep devotion to the Eucharist and his compassion for the sick. He is best known for his piety and his defense of Catholic dogma, narrowly escaping death at the hands of a mob. Canonized in 1690, he was later proclaimed the patron of Eucharistic congresses and confraternities.
- Feast Day
- May 17
- Century
- 16th century
- Country Or Region
- Spain
Key Facts
- ›He was born on may 16, 1540, at Torrehermosa in the Kingdom of Aragon.
- ›He served as a shepherd from the age of seven until twenty-four.
- ›He joined the Reformed Franciscans in 1564 as a lay brother.
- ›He was known for his strict austerities, love for the sick, and deep devotion to the Eucharist.
- ›He was beatified in 1618 and canonized on October 16, 1690, by Pope Alexander VIII.
- ›Pope Leo XIII proclaimed him patron of Eucharistic congresses and confraternities on November 28, 1897.
San Pascual
Eucharistic Congresses, Confraternities, Segorbe Diocese
Monstrance, Franciscan Habit
About Paschal Baylon
Paschal Baylon: Shepherd, Friar, and Mystic
Paschal Baylon (May 16, 1540 – May 17, 1592) was a Spanish Catholic religious brother of the Order of Friars Minor, renowned for his profound devotion to the Eucharist and his charitable work with the sick. Born into a poor but pious peasant family in Torrehermosa, Aragon, he was named Paschal in honor of the Pentecost feast day.
Early Life and Calling
From the age of seven to twenty-four, Paschal led the life of a shepherd, a period during which he exerted a positive spiritual influence on his companions. Despite his humble origins, he harbored a strong desire for religious life, initially being refused entry into a monastery due to his age. He eventually joined the Reformed Franciscans as a lay brother in 1564, commencing his novitiate and making his profession in 1565. He felt called to remain a lay brother and resisted urges to become an ordained priest.
Religious Life and Devotion
As a Franciscan friar, Paschal Baylón embraced a life of extreme poverty and austerity, often walking without sandals even in snow and wearing only a single, threadbare habit. His duties included serving as a cook, gardener, alms collector, and tending to the poor who came to the friars' door. He gained a reputation for remarkable humility, unfailing courtesy, and generosity. Paschal lived a contemplative life, often experiencing ecstatic visions and spending nights in silent meditation before the altar. His deep devotion to the Eucharist was a defining characteristic, and art often depicts him holding a monstrance.
Notable Incidents and Death
During a journey through France, Paschal Baylón narrowly escaped death from a mob after defending the dogma of the Real Presence against a Calvinist preacher. He died after falling ill on May 17, 1592, in Villarreal.
Veneration and Legacy
Paschal Baylón's tomb in Villarreal quickly became a site of pilgrimage, with numerous miracles reported. He was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1618 and canonized by Pope Alexander VIII on October 16, 1690. In 1897, Pope Leo XIII proclaimed him the patron of Eucharistic congresses and confraternities. Despite the desecration of his body during the Spanish Civil War, his relics were later recovered and transferred. His feast day is celebrated on May 17.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Paschal Baylón born and when did he die?
Paschal Baylón was born on May 16, 1540, and died on May 17, 1592.
What was Paschal Baylón known for?
He was best known for his strong and deep devotion to the Eucharist, as well as his strict austerities and compassion towards the sick. He was a Franciscan lay brother.
What is Paschal Baylón the patron saint of?
On November 28, 1897, Pope Leo XIII proclaimed Baylón patron of Eucharistic congresses and confraternities. Pope John XXIII also named him the patron for the Segorbe diocese.
How did Paschal Baylón become a Franciscan?
He desired to enter religious life from a young age but was initially refused by the Franciscans due to his age. In 1564, he was admitted as a lay brother and began his novitiate.
What happened to Paschal Baylón's relics?
During the Spanish Civil War in 1936, his body was disinterred and burned by anticlerical leftists. The remaining relics were later transferred in 1992.
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