BARNABAS OF PALMA. — A Spanish Franciscan born in Palma (Córdoba) to a humble Sicilian family (hence also called B. of Sicily) in 1460, and died there, in the reputation of holiness, on 14 October 1532.
Assigned to agricultural work, he was known as the “holy gardener” or “B. the saint.” Having taken refuge in the Franciscan convent of Los Angeles to escape the plague raging in his homeland, he remained there for many years, tending the garden and living as a religious without, however, wearing the habit, of which he deemed himself unworthy. Only in 1491 did he begin his novitiate and then professed his vows. He distinguished himself by his humility, penance, and charity.
Among other charisms, he received from God infused knowledge. Despite being illiterate, he wrote the following mystical treatises: 1) Elevazione della mente in Dio; 2) Vita di Gesù Cristo; 3) Il mistero della Messa; 4) La Dottrina cristiana; 5) I Gradi dell'orazione; 6) I Novissimi; 7) Centiloquio dell'anima; 8) La via dello spirito. All his other writings remained unpublished; the last of these was printed in 1534 under the care of the Duke of Béjar, a friend of Barnabas.