St Paschal Baylon (1540-92) patron of eucharistic congresses
A Franciscan lay brother
Born in Torre Hermosa on
the borders of Castile and Arragon of a poor shepherd family, Paschal
tended flocks as well as getting an elementary and religious education.
In his early twenties he joined the reformed Friars Minor of Peter of
Alcantara as a lay brother. In his capacity as porter, he had ample
opportunity to care for the sick and be generous to the poor.
Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament
Once he locked
himself in the refectory and did an elaborate dance before a statue of
Our Lady.
But he is especially known for his devotion to serving one
Mass after another and his deep mystical prayer before the Blessed
Sacrament.
Mission to France and death
Once he was entrusted
with a mission as a courier to bring letters from the Spanish Minister
of the Friars Minor to the Breton Minister-General.
On the way he was
attacked by Huegenots, who stoned and seriously injured him.
However, he
succeeded in the mission on which he was sent and returned to Villareal
where he died aged fifty-two. Many cures and miracles were reported at
his tomb.
He was beatified in 1612 and canonised in 1690.
Influence
In 1897 Pope Leo XIII declared St
Paschal Baylon patron of eucharistic congresses and associations.
During
the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) his relics were burned by the Red
Terror.