Catholic Tradition: One Holy Catholic and Apostolic

Saint Francis was born Ascanio Caracciolo.  At 22, he was stricken with an ailment akin to leprosy, and made a vow that if he recover, he would devote his life to God’s service.  His recovery was of such speed as seemingly “miraculous”.

John Augustine Adorno, a Genoese had envisioned an Order of Priests that would combine the Active and Contemplative lives.  He sent a later of invitation to another Ascanio — a distant kinsman — but as the will of God would have it, the saint received the letter instead.  St. Francis made quick acquaintance of Adorno, and prepared by way of a 40 day retreat, where the rule of the Order came together.

In AD 1588, Sixtus V gave consent to the formation of the Minor Clerks Regular.  As per his request, Adorno and Francis settled their charges and companions in Naples, then set off for Spain in order to establish a house.  However, they were refused access by the local ordinary, and had to return under inhospitable conditions to Naples.

They settled into work with the MULTITUDE of vocations they had been showered with.  Most were missioners, but some spent time with prisoners and in hospitals, especially preparing those for death.

Adorno died, and St. Francis was made Superior General against his explicit wishes.  However, he set about duties overseeing the Order, including regular cleaning duty.  In 1607, he was given permission to resign, and retired to a largely contemplative life, filled with deep prayer and illumination.

In AD 1608 St. Phillip Neri founded a house in Agnone for the Minor Clerks Regular, and St. Francis was invited to run the house, and he obliged.  Though in seemingly good health, Saint Francis Caracciolo knew otherwise, and in AD 1608 his health failed and he gave up his ghost.