St. Francis de Paola - April 2

Fix your minds on the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Inflamed with love for us, he came down from heaven to redeem us. For our sake he endured every torment of body and soul and shrank from no bodily pain. He himself gave us an example of perfect patience and love. We, then, are to be patient in adversity.

Take pains to refrain from sharp words. Pardon one another so that later on you will not remember the injury. The recollection of an injury is itself wrong. It adds to our anger, nurtures our sins and hates what is good. It is a rusty arrow and poison for the soul. It puts all virtue to flight.

Be peace-loving. Peace is a precious treasure to be sought with great zeal. You are well aware that our sins arouse God's anger. You must change your life, therefore, so that God in his mercy will pardon you. What we conceal from men is known to God. Be converted, then, with a sincere heart. Live your life that you may receive the blessing of the Lord. Then the peace of God our Father will be with you always.

from a letter by Saint Francis of Paola


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I learned about St. Francis de Paolo researching on saint's feast days.  There was very little found but I found that his feast day is on April 2 which happens to be significantly the death of Pope John Paul II (our mercy pope!) and on a lesser note, my birthday- making him my birthday saint and guardian.   I learned for one that he is the patron saint of seafarers, which bears a particular relevance to me. Secondly and more importantly, this letter which he wrote has struck so much that he beckons us to keep a holy life. A holy life which starts from holier attempts at speech, thought and deed.
I would like to share this now with you. God bless!