In 1515, Felix was born in Italy to devout parents who were poor peasant farmers. He tended cattle as a youth, then worked on a farm, and he used the time to himself for contemplative prayer. When he was 28, Felix was trying to calm a team of oxen that was pulling a plow and had begun to run wild. He fell and the oxen drug the blade over him. Miraculously, he wasn’t cut in two by the plow, nor was he trampled by the oxen, and he stood up completely unharmed. He immediately gave all his belongings to the poor and joined the Capuchins. He embraced poverty and austerity, taught children, collected alms, healed the sick, and rebuked sinners until his death in 1587.
CHALLENGE
Despite being illiterate, St. Felix of Cantalice’s deep prayer life so opened his heart to God that he was respected by St. Philip Neri and advised St. Charles Borromeo. Yet in his humility he referred to himself as “The Ass of the Capuchins.” How we think of ourselves can be an indicator of our humility… or our pride. Today, come up with a nickname for yourself that reminds you to be humble.
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Being a good husband and father starts when a man honors his wife.
In Kevin Lowry’s new delightful, easy-to-read book Honor Thy Wife, he shares a month’s-worth of stories and the lessons he learned over 35+ years of marriage.
