Saint Didacus of Alcalá or Diego, more familiar as San Diego, was a lay brother of the Order of Friars Minor who died at Alcalá de Henares, Spain, 12 November 1463.
History
Saint Didacus in Ecstasy Before the Cross by Murillo, 1645-6
His impoverished parents placed him as a child in the care of a hermit living not far from San Nicolás del Puerto, his native town. Feeling called to the religious life, he applied for admission to the Franciscan Order at the convent of Arizafa and was received as a lay brother. In 1445 he was chosen guardian of the Franciscan community on the Canary Island of Fuerteventura, where in 1446, the Observantist Franciscans founded the Convent of San Buenaventura. There, though it was an exception to the ordinary rules for a lay brother to be made superior; his great zeal, prudence, and sanctity justified this choice.
In 1449 he was recalled to Spain,whence he went to Rome to be present at the canonization of Bernardino of Siena in 1450. At Rome he fulfilled the humble office of infirmarian in the convent of Ara Coeli; and his biographers record the miraculous cure of many whom he attended, through his pious intercession. He was finally recalled to Spain and was sent by his superiors to the Convento de Santa María de Jesús in Alcalá, where he spent the remaining years of his life in penance, solitude, and the delights of contemplation. There he died on 12 November 1463 due to an abscess. It amazed everyone that instead of a foul odor, fragrance emitted from his infection. His body remained incorrupt, did not undergo rigor mortis and continued to emit a pleasant odor.[1]
Veneration
Saint Didacus was canonized by Sixtus V in 1588. His feast was kept, especially among the Franciscans, on 13 November, moved to that date in the 19th century from 12 November, his date of death, in order to give way to Pope Saint Martin. In the 20th century it was moved back to 12 November,[2] when the feast of Pope Martin I was moved in 1969 to his date of death, 13 April.[3]
Saint Didacus is the saint to whom the Franciscan mission that developed into San Diego, California was dedicated.
The Spanish painter Bartolomé Estéban Murillo is noted for painting representations of Didacus of Alcalá.
Prominent miracles
- On a hunting trip, Henry IV of Castile fell from his horse and injured his arm. In intense pain and with his doctors unable to relieve his agony, he went to Alcalá and prayed to Didacus for a cure. The saint's body was removed from his casket and placed beside the king. Henry then kissed the body and placed the saint's hand on his injured arm. The king felt the pain disappear and his arm immediately regained its former strength.[4]
- Don Carlos, Prince of Asturias, son of King Philip II of Spain, was of a difficult and rebellious character. On the night of 19 April 1562, he was groping around in the dark after a night spent with some ladies when he fell down a flight of stairs and landed on his head. There he was found the next morning, unconscious and partially paralyzed. He later became blind, developed a high fever and his head swelled to an enormous size. In a moment of lucidity, he asked that he wanted to make a personal petition to St. Didacus. The saint's body was brought to his chambers. The prior of the convent placed one of Carlos' hands upon the chest of St. Didacus, whereupon the prince fell into a deep and peaceful sleep. Six hours later, he woke and related that in a dream, he saw the saint telling him that he would not die. The prince recovered from his brush with death.[4]
See also
External links
References
- ^ Sa-onoy, Modesto P., Parroquia de San Diego, Today Printers and Publishers, Bacolod City, Philippines, pp. 174
- ^ Martyrologium Romanum (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2001 ISBN 88-209-7210-7)
- ^ Calendarium Romanum (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 1969), p. 145
- ^ a b Sa-onoy, Modesto P., Parroquia de San Diego, Today Printers and Publishers, Bacolod City, Philippines, pp. 176-177
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