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Also known as
Ass of the Capuchins (his own nickname for himself); Brother Deo Gratias
("Deo Gratias" was his habitual greeting)
Profile
Born to pious peasants, he was a shepherd in his youth. At age nine he was
hired out as a shepherd and farm hand at Cotta Ducale; he worked there
over twenty years. A pious youth and man, Felix spent his free time in
prayer. Having little education, he had a friend read him the lives of the
early Desert Fathers; they left him torn - he wanted to live as a hermit,
but feared he would give in to temptation if he had no superior. Sought
entrance to the Capuchins; they were hesitant, but finally accepted him as
a lay brother in 1543 at Anticoli near Rome. Sent to Rome in 1547 as
questor for the community; he stayed there the rest of his life.
Felix's reputation for holiness spread quickly. He could not even read,
yet theologians consulted him on spiritually and Scripture. Sinners on the
street would hide from him when it became obvious he could see their sins,
and knew their hearts. Felix preached in the street, rebuked corrupt
politicians and officials, and exhorted young men to stop leading
dissolute lives. Once during Carnival, a time of open vice in the streets,
Felix and Saint Philip Neri organized a procession of Capuchin friars
right into the middle of the revelers; Fra Lupo, a well-known Capuchin
preacher, spoke to the crowds, and Carnival ended for the year.
Felix worked with the children of Rome; his inherent simplicity and lack
of education made him rather childlike, and children trusted him. He
composed simple teaching canticles, and had the children gather in groups
to sing them as a way to teach them catechism. The canticles became
well-known and popular, and while Felix was begging for his house, Roman
citizens would invite him in to sing for them; he saw these invitations as
opportunities to teach, and always jumped at them.
During the famine of 1580, the city fathers asked the Capuchins for the
loan of Felix as a fund raiser; he was tireless in the work. His friend,
Saint Philip Neri, considered Felix the greatest saint then living. Saint
Charles Borromeo sought Saint Philip's help to draw up the constitutions
of the Oblates; Philip referred him to Felix as a the best advisor.
Slept little, at what came to hand, attended Mass every morning. Had a
great devotion to Our Lady; he frequently recited the rosary, sometimes
swept away in ecstasy, unable to finish the prayers. Received a vision of
the Virgin Mary during which he was allowed to hold the Christ Child in
his arms. Acclaimed a saint by the people of Rome immediately after his
death.
Born
18 May 1515 at Cantalice, Abruzzi, Italy
Died
18 May 1587 at Rome of natural causes; so many came to his funeral that
some were injured in the press to get into the church, and an extra door
had to be knocked through one wall so they could exit; buried under an
altar in the church of the Immaculate Conception in Rome; miracles
reported at his tomb
Beatified
1 October 1625 by Pope Urban VIII
Canonized
22 May 1712 by Pope Clement XI
Representation
holding the Infant Jesus in his arms; with Saint Philip Neri and Saint
Charles Borromeo; Capuchin carrying a beggar's wallet
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