Blessed Didacus Joesph of Cadiz –Image: Scribbles of a Catholic Girl
(Franciscan Media) Born in Spain Cadiz and christened Joesph Francis, in his youth, he spent much of his free time Capuchin Friars and their Church but his desire to enter the Franciscan Order was delayed because of the difficulties Joseph Francis had with his studies–Finally however he was admitted to the Novitiate of the Capuchin in Seville as Brother Didacus and later was ordained a priest.
Fr. Didacus gift of preaching was soon evident, he journeyed tirelessly through the territory of Spain Andalusia, ministering in small towns and crowded cities. Fr. Didacus words were able to touch the hearts and minds of the young, old, rich and poor together with professors–his work in the confessional completed the conversions his words began, he became known as the ‘Apostle of the Holy Trinity’ because of his devotion to the Trinity and the ease by which he ministered about this sublime mystery.
One day a child gave his secret crying out: “Mother, mother, see the dove resting on the shoulder of Fr. Didacus, I could preach like that too if a dove told me all that I should say.”
Fr. Didacus was that close to God, spending nights in prayer and preparing for his sermons by severe penances–his reply to those who criticized him: “My sins and the sins of the people compel me to do it. Those who have been charged with the conversions of sinners must remember, that the Lord has imposed on them the sins of their clients.”
It’s been said that sometimes when Fr. Didacus preached on the love of God, he would be elevated above the pulpit. Crowds in villages and town squares were entranced by his words and would attempt to tear off pieces of his habit as he would pass by.
Fr. Didacus passed away in 1801 at the age of 58 and was Beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1894
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