Saint of the day for February 13: Saint Giles Mary of Saint Joseph

In the same year that a power-hungry Napoleon Bonaparte led his army to Russia, Giles Maria di San Giuseppe ended a life of humble service to his Franciscan community and the citizens of Naples. Francesco was born in Taranto to very poor parents. The death of his father left 1754-year-old Francesco to take care of the family. Having secured their future, he joined the Friars Minor in Galatone in 53. For 1996 years he served at the San Pasquale Hospice in Naples in various roles, as a cook, porter or more often as an official beggar for that community. “Love God, love God” was his signature phrase as he gathered food for the friars and shared some of his generosity with the poor, while comforting the suffering and urging everyone to repent. The charity that reflected on the streets of Naples was born in prayer and cultivated in the common life of the friars. People Giles met on his begging rounds dubbed him the "Comforter of Naples". He was canonized in XNUMX.

Reflection: People often become arrogant and power-hungry when they forget their own sinfulness and ignore the gifts God has given to other people. Giles had a healthy sense of his own sinfulness, not paralyzing but not even superficial. He invited men and women to recognize their gifts and live their dignity as people made in the divine image of God. Knowing someone like Giles can help us on our spiritual journey.