SAINT MICHAEL DE SANCTIS

Feast Day - April 10

Lived (1591 - April 10, 1625)

Patron Saint of Cancer Patients

Born in Catalonia, Spain. When he was six years old, he informed his parents of his intention to be a monk. However, he emulated Saint Francis of Assisi so much that he had to be confined.

When his parents died, he served as an apprentice to a merchant. However, he kept leading a life of exemplary fervor and devotion, and in 1603, he joined the Trinitarian Friars at Barcelona, taking his vows at Saint Lambert's monastery in Saragosa, four years later.

Shortly thereafter, Michael expressed his desire to join the reformed group of Trinitarians and was given permission to do so. He went to the Novitiate at Madrid and, after studies at Seville and Salamanca, he was ordained a Priest. He served as Superior of the house in Valladolid twice. His confreres considered him to be a saint, especially because of his devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament and his ecstasies during Mass.

When he died, many miracles were attributed to him. He was canonized in 1862 by Pope Pius IX.

Michael is noted in the Roman Martyrology as being "remarkable for innocence of life, wonderful penitence, and love for God." He seemed from his earliest years to have been selected for a life of great holiness, and he never wavered in his great love of God or his vocation.

As our young people look for direction in a world that seems not to care, Saint Michael stands out as worthy of imitation as well as of the prayers of both young and old alike.