St. Francis Borgia
Patron against earthquakes; Portugal; Rota, Marianas
1510 - 1572
Francis was a young nobleman at the court of the King of Spain. He became a Duke when he was only thirty-three and lived a happy, peaceful life with his wife Eleanor and their eight children. But unlike so many other powerful nobles, Francis was a perfect Christian gentleman, a true man of God and his great joy was to receive Holy Communion often. This happy life ended when his beloved wife died. Francis did something that astonished all the nobles of Spain; he gave up his Dukedom to his son Charles and became a Jesuit priest. So many people came to his first Mass that they had to set up an altar outdoors, but his Superior tested him by treating him in exactly the opposite way he had been used to all his forty-one years of life. He who had once been a Duke had to help the cook, carrying wood for the fire and sweeping the kitchen. When he served food to the priests and brothers, he had to kneel down in front of them all and beg them to forgive him for being so clumsy! Still he never once complained or grumbled. The only time he became angry was when anyone treated him with respect as if he was still a Duke. Once a doctor who had to take care of a painful wound Francis had gotten said to him: "I am afraid, my lord, that I have to hurt your grace." The saint answered that he would not hurt him more than he was right then by calling him "my lord" and "your grace." It was not too long before the humble priest accomplished wonderful works for God's glory as he preached everywhere and advised many important people. He spread the Society of Jesus all over Spain and in Portugal. When he was made Superior General of the Jesuits, he sent missionaries all over the world. Under his guidance, the Jesuits grew to be a very great help to the Church in many lands. Through all such success, St. Francis Borgia remained completely humble. His feast day is October 10.
Previous Saint
< Bl. Francisca Ana Cirer Carbonell
Next Saint
St. Francis of Assisi >
Rate This Saint
1 - 15 of 15 Comments
Leave a Comment
Previous Saint
< Bl. Francisca Ana Cirer Carbonell
Next Saint
St. Francis of Assisi >
Find Saints
Catholic Online offers the largest searchable database of Catholic Saints on the internet.
| Browse Saints by Alphabet |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
| Patron Saints by Alphabet |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Videos
St. Francis of Assisi 80,693 views View Video
Padre Pio 48,933 views View Video
Black Saints Vol I 31,733 views View Video
Black Saints Vol II 28,004 views View Video
Most Popular
No-one Can Change the Truth About Fatherhood. Love Your Father. Be a Good Father Read More
Courageous Cardinal George of Chicago Defends Marriage, Calls for Public Conversion Read More
Fall of the Wall of Silence: More on Pope Francis and Reports of a 'Gay Lobby' in the Roman Curia Read More
Pope Francis Refers to 'gay lobby' inside Vatican Read More
Why Catholics Have Failed Our Culture: The Bottom Line Read More
Daily Readings
Reading 1, Second Corinthians 8:1-9
Next, brothers, we will tell you of the grace of God which has ... Read More
Psalm, Psalms 146:2, 5-6, 7, 8-9
I will praise Yahweh all my life, I will make music to my God ... Read More
Gospel, Matthew 5:43-48
'You have heard how it was said, You will love your neighbour ... Read More
Saint of the Day
St. Gregory Barbarigo
June 18: St. Gregory Barbarigo was born in 1625, of a very old and ... Read More
Latest Videos
Pope Francis: Forgiveness enriches us View Video
Zanies Comedy Club - Comedian Sally Edwards View Video
Jun 18 - Homily - Fr. Benedict: St. Ephrem - Mary's Own Singer View Video
Jun 18 - Homily: Love those who Persecute us View Video
Pope Francis: Let us pray for our enemies! View Video
Marketplace
Heaven Speaks About Stress
Who among us does not suffer from stress? It is virtually epidemic in ... Read More
Dear Lord, help me to lead a life that is accepted by you and bless my family too.
happy feast day St. Francis Borgia. thank you for being a great role model
St. Francis Borgia, please continue to pray for me, since I am facing a period of darkness in my life.
St. Francis Borgia,please pray for me to equally exbite the humility character in you.
Dear St Francis Borgia, in a world which is ever materialistic and where gods are made of material possessions, and where in my own life here in South Africa, I am experiencing a big rise in my standard of living, let me not be hauty or proud or snobbish, but let me always remember that true wealth lies in my relationship with God and is reflected in how I relate to other people. Intercede for me please, to be always humble, generous and not hard of heart. Amen.
please pray for us great saint francis borgia
Amen
Dear St. Francis Borgia, Pray that I shall be given the grace to be more humble in my life, as the Lord lifts me up more and more! Thank You.
St. Francis Borgia, please intercede for us to GOD to be like you..., to be humble in all ways..., please pray for us sinners and the whole world...amen!
Saint Francis Borgia intercede for my family, i request intercede for me for be more humble like you , you are near to God for get graces and gifts celestials by share with others
Francis pray for us.
Dear St. Francis Borgia, I thank God for the life He taught you to choose, from dukedom to discipleship. How well you adjusted! It is almost unbelievable that you who were so used to being in the highest position could become a cook and serve all your fellow-Jesuits. I must say that your humble life and the reward of sanctity it brought you, is testament to what God wants from each of us. Teach me to be humble yet brave in making decisions that might seems foolhardy. Send the Holy Spirit to all my family and friends so that we might emulate you way to holiness, and that is humility.
Amen
Oh Saint Francis Borgia, prayer for me and for my family to keep always our catholic faith. Amen.
Thank you for this truly interesting entry - but I keep wishing that you'd include a link for more "in-depth" study about the saints here. I was curious to know if Saint Francis Borgia was of the notorious Borgia family. This might be wrong, but , I thought I recalled it said that his desire for holiness was partly sourced in his need to do penance for his evil kinfolk.
Others of the name Borgia, in that country , at that time were serious blasphemers who used their power and money to buy holy honors in the Church, and were even murderers.
If someone knows for sure, do find me with the data
Thanks again
Elle
Dear St. Francis Borgeo,
Your humility exceeds all proportions. You are an excellent example that humility breeds holiness! Please pray for me and my family, since you know very well the travails of a family man in this modern age.
Dear St. Francis Borgia, please intercede for me before our and savior Jesus Christ that I might put aside all pride and arrogance and be truly humble, like you. And may God abundantly bless all who visit this website!
I enjoyed reading about St. Francis Borgia on your website. I have one request, though. Could you please include a complete date in each of your articles? Several times a week I find great stories with no year mentioned. Usually I have a general idea of the time period, but not always! Thanks in advance for your consideration!