San Didaco, Saint of the day for November 7th

Saint of the day for November 7
(C. 1400 - 12 November 1463)

The history of San Didaco

Didacus is living proof that God “has chosen what is foolish in the world to put the wise to shame; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong “.

As a young man in Spain, Didacus joined the Secular Franciscan Order and lived for some time as a hermit. After Didaco became a Franciscan brother, he earned a reputation for great knowledge of God's ways. His penances were heroic. He was so generous with the poor that the friars sometimes felt uncomfortable with his charity.

Didacus volunteered for missions in the Canary Islands and worked energetically and profitably there. He was also the superior of a convent there.

In 1450 he was sent to Rome to attend the canonization of San Bernardino da Siena. When many of the friars gathered for that celebration fell ill, Didaco stayed in Rome for three months to treat them. After returning to Spain, he embarked on a life of full-time contemplation. He showed the brothers the wisdom of God's ways.

As he was dying, Didacus looked at a crucifix and said, “O faithful wood, O precious nails! You have carried an extremely sweet burden, because you have been judged worthy to carry the Lord and King of Heaven "(Marion A. Habig, OFM, The Franciscan Book of Saints, p. 834).

San Diego, California is named after this Franciscan, who was canonized in 1588.

Reflection

We cannot be neutral about truly holy people. We either admire them or consider them foolish. Didacus is a saint because he used his life to serve God and God's people. Can we say the same for ourselves?