Saint Felix of Cantalice
Saint Felix of Cantalice (born May 18, 1515 AD in Cantalice, Lazio, Italy; died May 18, 1587 AD in Rome, Italy) was an Italian Capuchin lay brother who spent forty years as the questor (alms-gatherer) of the Capuchin friary in Rome, walking the streets collecting alms while radiating such charity and joy that he was beloved by the entire city. He was known as Fra Deo Gratias (Brother Thanks Be to God) because those were his constant words. He was the friend of Saint Philip Neri and Saint Charles Borromeo, and the spiritual confidant of popes. He was the first Capuchin friar to be canonized. His feast day is May 18.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Felix of Cantalice
| Saint Felix of Cantalice | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | May 18 |
| Profession | Capuchin lay brother; questor (alms-gatherer) |
| Rel. Affiliation | Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (Capuchins); first Capuchin canonized |
| Patronage | Capuchin friars; lay brothers; questors; Rome; the poor; those who work with joy; Cantalice |
| Attributes | Capuchin habit; sack of alms; Infant Jesus in arms; smile; ''Deo Gratias'' motto |
| Birthplace | Cantalice, Rieti, Lazio, Italy |
| Death Place | Rome, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; died at Rome; was born and died on the same day, May 18 |
| Primary Shrine | Church of Santa Maria della Concezione (Capuchin Church), Via Veneto, Rome — his body in the chapel; the famous Capuchin crypt (bone church) is adjacent |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Calendar, May 18) |
| Historic Class | Feast |
Biography
Felix was born on May 18, 1515, to a peasant farming family in Cantalice in the Sabine hills northeast of Rome. He worked as a farmer and shepherd in his youth. Around 1543 he entered the Capuchin Order as a lay brother — the Capuchins being the reform branch of the Franciscans, founded in 1525, known for radical poverty and a return to the spirit of Saint Francis.
He was assigned to the Capuchin friary in Rome and given the role of questor — the brother who goes out each day to beg alms from the faithful. For forty years Felix walked the streets of Rome with his sack, collecting food and donations for the community. He was recognizable throughout the city and was beloved by all: nobles, popes, cardinals, the poor. His constant expression was joy, and his constant words were Deo gratias — Thanks be to God — which became his nickname.
He was the close friend of Saint Philip Neri, founder of the Oratorians, and Saint Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan. He had audiences with popes and cardinals who sought his counsel. He composed simple spiritual poems — the Canticle of the Creature tradition continued in him — one of which has survived.
He died on May 18, 1587 — his birthday, exactly 72 years later. Pope Urban VIII beatified him in 1625; Pope Clement XI canonized him in 1712, making him the first Capuchin to be canonized. His body is preserved in the church of Santa Maria della Concezione on the Via Veneto in Rome, adjacent to the famous Capuchin Crypt (decorated with the bones of 3,700 friars).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Cantalice, Rieti, Lazio, Italy
Death location: Rome, Italy
Notable location: The friary where he lived for 40 years as questor; the church (famous for its Capuchin crypt) on the Via Veneto in Rome; his body is venerated here (Capuchin Friary of the Immaculate Conception (Santa Maria della Concezione), Rome, Italy)
Notable location: His birthplace in the Sabine hills; a small town that has honored him since his canonization; his family's farm was here (Cantalice, Rieti, Lazio, Italy)
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Dynamic content
Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Felix of Cantalice have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| May 18 Saint Felix of Cantalice | Under 5 minutes | Breski1 |
| The Life of Saint Felix of Cantalice | 5–15 minutes | Daily Lives of Franciscan Saints |
| May 18 - St. Felix of Cantalice - Franciscan St. of the Day | 5–15 minutes | Franciscan Media |
| The Life of Saint Felix of Cantalice | 5–15 minutes | Radio Immaculata |
Shrines
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Known shrines
- Church of Santa Maria della Concezione (Capuchin Church), Via Veneto, Rome — his body; Capuchin crypt adjacent; a major Roman pilgrimage site.
- Cantalice, Rieti — his birthplace; honored here.
Feast day
May 18
Veneration
Saint Felix of Cantalice is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with an Optional Memorial on May 18.
Prayers
Authored
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Intercessory
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