Monday, February 13, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
ST. EGIDIO MARIA-DI-SAN-GIUSEPPE (Giles Mary-of-St. Joseph) (Italy, 1729-1812)
Franciscan brother
Born Francesco Antonio Pontillo to a poor family in Taranto, southern Italy, the future
saint was orphaned early but worked to provide for his family before joining the Franciscans.
For lack of education, he remained a brother and was assigned to a hospice in Naples
where he served for 53 years as cook, porter and official beggar for the hospice. While
gathering food for his community, he shared his bounty with the poor. In the streets of
Naples, he became known for comforting those who were troubled and preaching repentance.
In time, he was called 'consoler of Naples' and even nobles sought him out for counsel.
He died at prayer when he was 83, and huge crowds came to his funeral. Though he was
beatified in 1888, he was not canonized until 1996, when a 1937 remission of uterine
cancer in a woman, who was still alive, was recognized as a miracle for his canonization.
The only photo of him online is the image used by the Vatican at his canonization. Many
lists of Franciscan saints online still do not carry his name.
Readings for today's Mass:
usccb.org/bible/readings/021312.cfm
AT THE VATICAN TODAY
No events announced for the Holy Father.
The Vatican released the text of the Pope's message for the 49th World Day of Prayer on April 29,
the fourth Sunday of Easter, on the theme "Vocations: A gift of God's love".
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 13/02/2012 21:22]