This holy lay brother of the Order of Friars Minor was born around the turn of the 15th century to poor Spanish parents who placed him under the direction of a hermit living in the neighborhood of San Nicolas del Puerto, his native town. Feeling himself 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. He led a life perfect in the observance of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Though he lacked a formal education, he was sought out for his insights into the Christian life.

    In 1445 he was chosen guardian of the Franciscan community on the Canary Island of Fortaventura; and though it was an exception to the ordinary rules for a lay brother to be made superior, his great zeal, prudence, and sanctity fully justified his choice by the religious of Castile. He remained superior at Fortaventura until 1449 when he was recalled to Spain, whence he went to Rome to be present at the canonization of St. Bernardine of Siena in 1450.

    At Rome 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 Alcalá where he spent the remaining years of his life in penance, solitude, and the delights of contemplation.

    As death drew nearer, he assembled all around his deathbed and asked forgiveness, embracing the holy crucifix, he repeated with saintly sincerity words, "Dulce lignum, dulces clavos, dulce pondus sustinet", and peacefully died in the odor of sanctity on November 12. St. Didacus was canonized by the Franciscan Pope Sixtus V in 1588 and his universal feast set for the day after he died on November 13. Many miracles are attributed to this humble lay brother both when he was alive and after his death including his body remaining incorrupt. He so emulated his holy Father Francis of Assisi and it is why Fr. Junipero Serra dedicated this oldest Mission to St. Didacus - San Diego de Alcala.

    Didacus is the Latin translation of the Spanish name Diego which means "learned person." Truly St. Didacus learned much and reaped his rewards in Heaven. In this time of the Great Apostasy, how much have we learned? Can we be called "learned persons" if we refuse to connect the dots and see that the church posing as the Catholic church today in Rome is an apostate church which broke away from the True Church at Vatican II? If you doubt that, praying to St. Didacus just might do wonders considering Psalm 138, verse 17 of today's Introit: "The just shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus: planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God." There are so few true houses of the Lord remaining where He truly resides Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity.

Resources: We are grateful to Friends of Our Lady of Fatima for providing the Propers for the faithful. Sources: Saint Andrew Daily Missal and the Marian Missal , 1945

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