Francis Caracciolo became a priest after recovering from grave illness and co-founded the Minor Clerks Regular. He had his brothers keep continuous adoration of the Eucharist in turns, spreading devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
Life
Francis Caracciolo was born in 1563 to a noble family in Abruzzo, Italy. At about twenty-two, when he fell seriously ill with a skin disease, he vowed to give his life to God if he recovered. After his recovery he studied in Naples and became a priest.
He devoted himself to ministering to prisoners condemned to death, and in 1588, with a fellow priest, he founded the Clerics Regular Minor. The congregation gave great importance to continuous prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, with members taking turns in adoration. He served the community humbly, died in 1608 and was canonized in 1807.
Spirituality
Caracciolo's spirituality joins Eucharistic adoration with love of neighbor. He drew strength from long hours of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and, with that love, stayed beside abandoned prisoners condemned to death. His was a life of gratitude, giving back to God the health he had received.
Reflection
After recovering from illness, Saint Francis Caracciolo gave his life back to God. How am I using the health and time I have been given for God and for others?