Francis of Paola, hermit - April 2nd
St Francis of Paola (d. 1507, Plessis, France) (Relics: Paola, Italy)
In the 15th century St Francis of Paola founded a new religious community of friars called the Minims. This community, whose name expresses the great humility that they strive for, has a long history in Rome.
First Class Relics
Basilica di San Francesco di Paola
(Basilica of St Francis of Paola)
Largo San Francesco di Paola
87027 Paola, Italy
*In 1482 King Louis XI of France requested the presence of St Francis of Paola at his side as he neared death. St Francis was at first reluctant to accept the king’s request because he did not want to leave his native Italy. However, upon the urging of Pope Sixtus IV he acquiesced. St Francis of Paola then remained in France for the next 25 years providing counsel to the French kings. He died in 1507 and was buried in Plessis. In 1562 his tomb was forcefully opened, his incorrupt body plundered, and the majority of his relics destroyed by French Huguenots. The few bones that escaped destruction were later taken to Paola, Italy. These bones now rest within this church.
Churches of Honor in Rome
San Francesco di Paola ai Monti
(Saint Francis of Paola at the Hills)
Piazza di San Francesco a Paola 10
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Cavour metro stop. It is dedicated to St Francis of Paola and has served in the past as the Generalate for the Order of Minims. Recently, however, the church has suffered structural damage and is currently not open.
Santissima Trinità dei Monti
(Most Holy Trinity of the Mounts)
Piazza della Trinità dei Monti
Rome, Italy
*This church is at the top of the Spanish Steps. St Francis of Paola established this church with the help of King Charles VIII to provide a place for the Order of Minims in Rome. It remained in possession of the Minims until it was suppressed in 1797 by Napoleon Bonaparte.
*The second chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Francis of Paola.
Sant'Andrea delle Fratte (Saint Andrew of the Bushes)
Via Sant'Andrea delle Fratte 1
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Spanish Steps. It is administered by the Order of Minims.
*The chapel in the right transept is dedicated to St Francis of Paola.
*The third altar on the left side of the nave is where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Ratisbonne, an agnostic Jew, in 1842. Ratisbonne converted on the spot. In 1918 St Maximilian Mary Kolbe (d. 1941) offered his first Mass in this very same chapel.
San Rocco (Saint Roch)
Largo San Rocco 1
Rome, Italy
*This church is near the Tiber River just west of the Spanish Steps.
*The first chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Francis of Paola.
Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart)
Corso del Rinascimento 27
Rome, Italy
*This church is at Piazza Navona.
*The third chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Francis of Paola.
La Maddalena (The Magdalene)
Piazza della Maddalena 53
Rome, Italy
*This church is just north of the Pantheon.
*The first chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Francis of Paola.
*In the chapel in the right transept is a miraculous crucifix that is said to have spoken to St Camillus de Lellis.
* In the third chapel on the right side of the nave are the remains of St Camillus de Lellis. He lived in the adjacent monastery and died here in 1614. His rooms can be visited by asking the sacristan. One of these rooms has been transformed into a chapel and contains the relic of his heart.