Didacus of Alcalá

Saint Didacus of Alcalá
San Diego de Alcalá by Francisco de Zurbarán
Confessor
Born	c. 1400 San Nicolás del Puerto, Seville, Andalusia, Kingdom of Castile
Died	November 12, 1463(1463-11-12) Alcalá de Henares, Kingdom of Castile
Honored in	Roman Catholic Church
Canonized	1588 by Pope Sixtus V
Feast	November 7 November 13 (General Roman Calendar 1588–1969)
Attributes	Cross, Lily
Patronage	Franciscan laity; Franciscan lay brothers

Saint Didacus of Alcalá, (Latin: Sanctus Didacus Complutensis), Saint Diego, (or the more familiar Spanish: San Diego) was a lay brother of the Order of Friars Minor who died at Alcalá de Henares, Spain, November 12, 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 Seville - Spain, 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 Alatraz 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 November 12, 1463 due to an abscess. It was said that it amazed everyone that instead of a foul odor, fragrance emitted from his infection. His body was also rumored to have remained incorrupt, did not undergo rigor mortis and continued to emit a pleasant odor.^[1]

Veneration

Didacus of Alcalá

Saint Didacus was canonized by Pope Sixtus V in 1588 and in the General Roman Calendar his feast day was celebrated on 13 November, since 12 November, the anniversary of his death, was occupied by that of Pope Saint Martin I. However, the Franciscans celebrated his feast day on 12 November,^[2] and Saint Didacus's feast day was finally placed on 12 November for the whole of the Church^[3] in the 1969 revision of the General Roman Calendar, which also moved Pope Martin I's feast day to his dies natalis, 13 April.^[4]

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.

Miracles attributed to Didacus

• 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.^[5]

• Don Carlos, Prince of Asturias, son of King Philip II of Spain, was of a difficult and rebellious character. On the night of April 19, 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 awoke 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.^[5]

Note

Complutum is the Latin name of Alcalá de Henares

See also

• San Diego, California
• Mission San Diego de Alcalá
• Alcalá de Henares
• Franciscan Order
• Noli Me Tangere (novel)
• Incorruptibility

External links

• Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Didacus
• Catholic-Forum.com: Saint Didacus
• abcgallery.com: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo's La Cuisine des Anges
• abcgallery.com: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo's St. Diego Giving Alms
• Franciscan Order
• Cofradia Semana Santa San Nicolas del Puerto, Seville

References

1. ^ Sa-onoy, Modesto P., "Parroquia de San Diego," Today Printers and Publishers, Bacolod City, Philippines, pp. 174
2. ^ Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Didacus
3. ^ "Martyrologium Romanum" (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2001 ISBN 88-209-7210-7)
4. ^ "Calendarium Romanum" (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 1969), p. 145
5. ^ ^{a b} Sa-onoy, Modesto P., Parroquia de San Diego, Today Printers and Publishers, Bacolod City, Philippines, pp. 176–177

Persondata
Name	Didacus Of Alcala
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1400
Place of birth	San Nicolás del Puerto, Seville, Andalusia, Kingdom of Castile
Date of death	November 12, 1463
Place of death	Alcalá de Henares, Kingdom of Castile