FELICE da CANTALICE, Saint. — Capuchin lay brother of the Roman province, born in Cantalice (Rieti) in 1515, worked as a farmer until the age of 30, made his religious profession in 1545, died in Rome on May 8, 1587.
From 1547–48 until his death, he carried out the office of quest at the Convent of S. Niccolò dei Porci (now S. Croce dei Lucchesi) at the foot of the Quirinal. In constant prayer and penance, humble and joyful, he exercised the apostolate of spiritual exhortation, assisting the sick and the poor, for whom he gathered alms, especially during times of famine; he invited children and young people to sing devotional lauds with him, some of which were of his own composition. He was called "Deo gratias" for his habitual greeting and his Christian optimism. St. Philip Neri held him in great affection and with him staged scenes of holy simplicity and correction for the benefit of passersby. St. Charles Borromeo, high prelates, and nobles sought his company. Alongside St. Philip Neri, he was one of the most original and popular figures in Rome (Pastor). He was canonized by Clement XI on May 22, 1712 (though the bull was promulgated only on June 4, 1724 by Benedict XIII). Feast day: May 18.