Saint Francis Caracciolo

Ascanio Caracciolo was born on October 13, 1563, at Villa Santa Maria in the Abruzzo, into a noble family related to the princes of Naples. At twenty-two a skin disease resembling leprosy brought him close to death. He promised to serve God if he recovered, was healed, and became a priest in Naples, where he joined a confraternity that cared for prisoners and those condemned to death.

In 1588, with John Augustine Adorno, he founded the Clerics Regular Minor, taking the name Francis. The members took turns in continual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and added a fourth vow never to seek church honors. Francis served as superior general and opened houses in Italy and Spain. He died at Agnone on June 4, 1608, at forty-four, and was canonized by Pope Pius VII in 1807.

Francis is one of the patron saints of Naples, and his relics rest there in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore alla Pietrasanta. In 1996 he was named patron of Italian cooks, who honor him on his feast.

His spiritual sons, often called the Adorno Fathers, keep up Eucharistic adoration in their churches.