May 18
Saint Felix of Cantalice
Brother “Deo Gratias”
(1515 – 1587)
“Let us go, my Brother, with rosary in hand, our eyes to the ground and our spirit in heaven.”
Saint Felix of Cantalice
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Saint’s Life Story
His Early Life
Felix was born on May 18, 1515 at the foot of Mount Appenine in a small village named Cantalice near Rieti, Apulia, Italy. He was the third of four sons born to Santi and Santa Porri, a devout peasant family. Coming from a poor farming family, Felix was familiar with the hardships of rural life.
At about the age of ten, Felix was hired out first as a shepherd to a well-to-do landowner of Cittàducale, named Mark Tully Pichi family. Later, Felix worked here as a farm hand. His early years, until he was 28 years old, were marked by labor as a shepherd and farmhand. This work instilled in him both humility and resilience—qualities that would shape his later spiritual path.
As he approached, his boyhood friends would call out, “Here comes Felix the saint!”
No Formal Education
Despite his lack of formal education, Felix grew up to be a pious and prayerful individual. During his free time, Felix would have a friend read him the lives of the early Desert Fathers. Inspired by their example, he was torn between wanting to live as a hermit and fear of falling into temptation without a superior.
Capuchin Lay Brother
Felix taught himself meditative prayer that he could sustain even in his manual labor. One day, while plowing a field, something spooked the oxen and he fell. He was trampled, the plow passing over his body. However, he arose uninjured. So, in gratitude Felix immediately entered a Capuchin monastery with a desire to lead a life of greater holiness.
The father guardian, after warning him of the austerity of the life, led him before a crucifix, saying, “See what Jesus Christ has suffered for us !”
Felix burst into tears, and impressed the superior with the conviction that a soul which felt so deeply must be drawn by God. So, Felix was accepted as a lay brother in 1543 at the Citta Ducale friary in the municipality of Anticoli Corrado, Italy near Rome.
Unlike ordained priests, lay brothers did not perform sacramental duties but lived in community, contributing through practical work and spiritual devotion. From the beginning of his life with the friars, Felix demonstrated exceptional simplicity and piety. He embraced poverty with joy and spent much of his time in prayer, often displaying a childlike trust in divine providence.
Rome
In 1547 he was sent to Rome as quaestor of the Capuchin Friary of St. Bonaventure. His reputation for holiness quickly spread, despite his inability to read. People sought his counsel on matters of spirituality and Scripture, and theologians consulted him for his insights. Brother Felix blessed all benefactors and all those he met with a humble “Deo Gratias!” (thanks be to God!), causing many to refer to him as “Brother Deo Gratias”.
Preacher Who Ended Carnival
It is said that he possessed the gift of discernment, as sinners on the street would hide from him when it became apparent that he could see their sins and understand their hearts. Felix actively preached in the streets, fearlessly rebuking corrupt politicians and officials. He also made it his mission to exhort young men to abandon their dissolute lifestyles.
In one notable incident, during the Carnival season, traditionally a time of open vice in the streets, Felix and Saint Philip Neri organized a procession of Capuchin friars straight into the midst of the revelers. Fra Lupo, a renowned Capuchin preacher, addressed the crowds, effectively ending the Carnival for that year.
Worked With Children
One of Felix’s primary ministries was working with the children of Rome. Due to his inherent simplicity and lack of education, he had a childlike quality that allowed children to trust him easily. He composed simple teaching canticles and organized the children into groups, leading them in song to teach them the catechism.
These canticles became well-known and popular. So, wherever Felix went begging for his house, Roman citizens would invite him in to sing for them. He considered these invitations as opportunities to teach and eagerly embraced them.
Fundraiser
During the famine of 1580, the city fathers requested the assistance of the Capuchins, specifically Felix, as a fundraiser. Felix tirelessly worked towards this cause, showing great devotion and selflessness. In Rome, Italy, Felix spent his last 40 years begging alms to help in the friars’ work of aiding the sick and the poor.
Advised Other Saints
His close friend, Saint Philip Neri, regarded Felix as the greatest saint of their time. In fact, Saint Charles Borromeo sought Saint Philip’s help in drafting the constitutions of the Oblates of Saint Ambrose, and Philip suggested turning to Felix as the best advisor.
Felix had a simple and austere lifestyle, sleeping very little and eating whatever came his way. He had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and frequently prayed the rosary. At times, he would be overwhelmed with ecstasy while praying and unable to complete his prayers. It is recorded that Felix received a vision of the Virgin Mary, during which he was allowed to hold the Christ Child in his arms.
His Death
On his 72nd birthday, when he was sick and was given the last Sacraments, Felix saw the Blessed Virgin and a beautiful troop of Angels coming to fortify him in this last journey. He cried out in joy, and gave up his soul peacefully to his Creator, dying on May 18, 1587 in Rome, Italy. His funeral drew such a large crowd that some individuals were injured from the congestion, necessitating the creation of an additional door in the church to accommodate the exit. He was buried beneath was buried in the crypt of the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, where miracles were reported at his tomb.
When he was canonized by Pope Clement XI in 1712, Felix of Cantalice was the first Capuchin friar to be named a saint.
Born: May 18, 1515 in Cantalice near Rieti, Apulia, Italy
Died: May 18, 1587 age 72 in Rome, Italy
Beatified: October 1, 1625 by Pope Urban VIII
Canonized: May 22, 1712 by Pope Clement XI
Feast Day: May 18
Patron Saint: Cantalice, Italy
Source:
Reflection
Saint Felix of Cantalice (1515 – 1587) spent his life as a Capuchin friar in Rome, serving as a humble lay brother and alms collector. Though uneducated, he became known as a “beggar for Christ.” His radiant joy, deep trust in Providence, and cheerful spirit touched everyone he met—from the poor in the streets to the noble families of Rome. Saint Felix blessed all benefactors and all those he met with a humble “Deo Gratias!” (thanks be to God!), causing many to refer to him as “Brother Deo Gratias”. He carried an inner peace that came from knowing that God provides all that we truly need. Saint Felix teaches us that holiness is found not in status or power, but in serving with a pure and grateful heart.
In a noisy and competitive world, Saint Felix reminds us that our true calling is not to accumulate but to offer—to give our time, compassion, and faith freely, trusting that God multiplies every act of love.
How can I bring joy and gratitude into the small acts of service I offer each day, so that others might glimpse the love of Christ through me?
Prayers
Saint Felix of Cantalice,
You filled Saint Felix of Cantalice with the joy of humble service and a heart that trusted completely in Your care.
Through his example, teach me to find happiness in giving rather than receiving, in serving rather than being served.
Help me to walk through each day with a smile born of faith, and to share Your love with those who feel forgotten or burdened.
May we serve with joy and simplicity of heart.
Saint Felix of Cantalice, pray for us. Amen.
Saint Links
All Saints & Martyrs – Saint Felix of Cantalice – A Big Hearted Beggar, The Capuchins First Saint
AnaStpaul – Saint of the Day – 18 May – St Felix of Cantalice O.F.M. Cap.(1515-1587)
Capuchin Friars West-America – Saint Felix of Cantalice: Nurturing Holiness in Humility
Catholic Insight – St Felix of Cantalice: The Friar who Saved the Capuchin Reform by his Holiness
Catholic Online – St. Felix of Cantalice
CatholicSaints.Info – Saints of the Day – Felix of Cantalice – by Katherine I Rabenstein
Editions Magnificat – Saint Felix of Cantalice Confessor (1513-1587)
Give Us This Day – St. Felix of Cantalice
Independent Catholic News – St Felix of Cantalice
Melanie Rigney – Felix of Cantalice
New Advent – Hess, L. (1909). St. Felix of Cantalice. In The Catholic Encyclopedia
New Evangelizers – St. Felix of Cantalice, the Joyful Evangelizer By Debbie McCoy
Rev Butler’s Lives Of The Saints Complete Edition – St. Felix of Cantalice
Roman Catholic Saints – Saint Felix of Cantalice
The Saint Challenge – St. Felix of Cantalice – May 18
University of Notre Dame – St. Felix of Cantalice
Video Link
Felix of Cantalice (Franciscan Saints) – YouTube (Capuchin Franciscans)