✦ Remembering Saints

Feast day: April 2

St. Francis of Paola

Hermit, Founder · 1416–1507

Patron of Mariners, boatmen

An Italian hermit whose austere followers became the Order of Minims — 'the least' — and who was famous for miracles, prophecy, and blunt counsel to kings.

Tradition says that, refused passage across the Strait of Messina, he spread his cloak on the water and sailed across on it — hence his patronage of sailors.

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