Today is the feast day of Saint Francis Caracciolo born in the mid-16th century. His baptismal name was Ascanio. He grew up with a devout faith and was considering becoming a priest but was having a hard time committing to the idea. Then at 22, he developed a skin disease that may have been leprosy. 

Finding no one who could help him, Ascanio made a promise to the Lord that if he would cure him he would dedicate his life to service as a priest and almost immediately he was healed. True to his word, Ascanio made his way to Naples and joined the White Robes of Justice whose mission was to help prisoners, and then he took the name Francis. 

5 years later a letter from a superior asking for a new order to be formed was accidentally delivered to Francis who took it as a sign from God. With the help of Saint John Augustine, Ascanio Francis founded the minor clerics regularly dedicated to perpetual adoration each day, with at least one member of that community fasting on bread and water. Francis was not the 1st superior, but eventually was chosen to lead the community which he did for 7 years. He expanded their reach into Spain and spent many nights without sleep in the presence of the Eucharist, eventually writing a book called The 7 passions of our lord. He died on this day in 1604 at the age of just 44. 

Saint Francis Caracciolo, please pray for us.