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 This humble Capuchin, who could make no progress at
school, this "dunce of Cadiz" was later on admired by the world as the savior
of the Faith in Spain, as a second Paul, as the apostle of his century. His
lineage dated from the Visigoth kings. After he had taken the habit of St.
Francis with the Capuchins in Seville, had been ordained to the priesthood,
and had prepared himself by a holy life, he was appointed to the task of
preaching. Everybody marveled at the singular power and unction of his words,
which swayed his audiences and left an impression on their lives. But most
astonished of all was the venerable Dominican, Antonio Querero, a fellow
student of Didacus, who knew how difficult study had been for him. A child,
however, solved the problem one day during a sermon, when he shouted aloud in
the church: "Mother, mother, see the dove resting on the shoulder of Father
Didacus! I could preach like that too if a dove told me all that I should
say!"
And there was the secret. Because of his humility
and virtue, the Holy Spirit had converted this unlearned man into the most
celebrated preacher in Spain. But how Father Didacus prayed before his
sermons! How he scourged himself even unto blood, in order to draw down God's
mercy upon the people!
Once when his superior chided him because of the
austerity of his life, the saint replied: "Ah, Father, my sins and the sins of
the people compel me to do it. Those who have been charged with the conversion
of sinners must remember that the Lord has imposed upon them the sins of all
their clients. By means of our penances we should atone for the sins of our
fellowmen and thus preserve ourselves and them from eternal death. It would
hardly be too much if we shed the last drop of our blood for their
conversion."
In this disposition he journeyed through all Spain
and infused new Catholic life wherever he went. In a very pronounced way he
preached the praise of the most Holy Trinity and of the Blessed Virgin
Mary.
Honors did not escape him. He was appointed
extraordinary consultor of the Church, synodal examiner in almost all the
Spanish dioceses, honorary canon, and honorary doctor of several universities.
He died in 1801, in the 58th year of his highly blessed life, and was
beatified by Pope Leo XIII.
ON THE NECESSITY OF PENANCE
1. Consider the
rigorous penance of Blessed Didacus. We do not need, nor are we permitted to
imitate him in it. But it would be well if we strove to cultivate the spirit
which prompted him to undertake it. Not without reason does the holy council
of Trent explain: "The whole life of a Christian should be one continuous act
of penance." We are sinners, and the first requisite of true penance is the
acknowledgment and confession of our sinfulness and hearty sorrow for our
offenses. -- Do you possess at least this kind of contrition?
2. Consider
the admonition of our Lord: "Except you do penance, you shall all likewise
perish" (Luke 13:5), that is to say, by sudden death. Our Lord spoke these
words after it had been reported to Him that a number of persons had died a
sudden death. But who is there who would care to be surprised in his sins by
sudden death? Let us, therefore, heed that other word also: "Today, if you
hear His voice, harden not your hearts" (Heb 3:8). -- Should you not long ago
have followed the call to penance?
3. Consider penance as atonement for the
sins of others. What fruitful penance Blessed Didacus took upon himself in
order to atone for the sins of the people. Hence, his sermons produced "fruits
worthy of penance" (Luke 3:8). He who seriously considers how frequently our
good God is offended every day, will count it as a sweet obligation to impose
small mortifications upon himself by way of atonement. -- Have you ever
thought of doing that? On Fridays? During Lent? During the Ember
weeks?
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Oh God, who did endow Thy
blessed confessor, Didacus, with the science of the saints and didst work
wonders through him for the salvation of his people, grant us through his
intercession to think those things that are right and just, so that we may
arrive safely at the kingdom of Thy glory. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
from:
The Franciscan Book
of Saints, ed. by
Marion Habig, ofm., © 1959 Franciscan Herald
Press
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