Saint Didacus
Saint Didacus (also Diego de Alcalá; born c. 1400 AD in San Nicolás del Puerto, Seville, Spain; died November 12, 1463 AD in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain) was a Spanish Franciscan lay brother renowned for his humility, his love of the poor, and his miraculous gift of healing. He served as a lay brother in the Canary Islands and later in Rome, where he cared for the sick during a plague. He was canonized in 1588 — the first Franciscan lay brother to be canonized. His feast day is November 13.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Didacus
| Saint Didacus | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | November 13 |
| Profession | Franciscan lay brother; missionary; infirmarian; cook; doorkeeper |
| Rel. Affiliation | Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) |
| Patronage | Spain; the Canary Islands; lay brothers; cooks; those with skin diseases; Alcalá de Henares |
| Attributes | Franciscan habit; roses (the miracle of the bread turning to roses); food basket; cross |
| Birthplace | San Nicolás del Puerto, Seville Province, Andalusia, Spain |
| Death Place | Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; died at the Franciscan friary of Alcalá |
| Primary Shrine | Magistral Church of Saints Justus and Pastor, Alcalá de Henares — his relics; the church rebuilt after his canonization |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial |
| Historic Class | November 13 |
Biography
Diego de Alcalá (known in Latin as Didacus) was born around 1400 near Seville. He joined the Franciscan Order as a lay brother (not a priest), remaining in the humble ranks of the brothers who performed manual work in the community.
He served in the Franciscan missions to the Canary Islands (1441–1449), where the order was carrying out one of the earliest missionary efforts to the indigenous Guanche people. He was known for his remarkable charity and simplicity. He was also sent to Rome in 1450 for the canonization of Saint Bernardine of Siena, where he served in the infirmary during a terrible plague that swept through the thousands of friars gathered for the event — showing extraordinary courage and compassion.
He died at the Franciscan friary of Alcalá de Henares on November 12, 1463. His body was found incorrupt. Over the following decades, many miraculous cures were reported, especially concerning skin diseases. The cure of Don Carlos (son of King Philip II of Spain) in 1562 was the decisive miracle that impelled Philip to press for canonization. Pope Sixtus V canonized him in 1588 — making him the first Franciscan lay brother (as opposed to a priest or bishop) to be canonized.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: San Nicolás del Puerto, Seville Province, Andalusia, Spain
Death location: Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
Notable location: The Franciscan friary where he died and where his body was kept; his shrine; the city of the famous university where many miracles were attributed to his relics (Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain)
Notable location: The islands where he served as a lay brother in the early Franciscan missions to the Canary Islands; he was known for his care of the indigenous people (Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain)
Notable location: Where he was sent for the canonization of Saint Bernardine of Siena (1450) and stayed to care for the plague-stricken in the friars' infirmary (Rome, Italy)
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Saint Didacus have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| November 7 Saint Didacus | Under 5 minutes | Breski1 |
| November 8 Saint Didacus | Under 5 minutes | Breski1 |
| St. Didacus (Diego) - November 13th | Under 5 minutes | Saint of the Day |
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
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No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Known shrines
- Magistral Church of Saints Justus and Pastor, Alcalá de Henares — rebuilt as a shrine to him after his canonization; a national monument.
Feast day
November 13
Veneration
Saint Didacus is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on November 13 (Optional Memorial). He is the patron of the Canary Islands and of lay brothers.
Prayers
Authored
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.