Saint Didacus of Alcalá: “Blue-Collar” Franciscan

On November 13, Franciscans in most countries celebrate the memory of St. Didacus (Diego) of Alcalá (c.1400-1463), known for his life of humble service and as the Patron of San Diego, California. (In the United States, his memorial is remembered on November 9 since the feast of St. Frances X. Cabrini is celebrated on November 13.)

A wandering penitent hermit

Little is known about Diego's early years. He was born about 1400 into a poor family in the town of San Nicolás del Puerto in the Andalusia region of Spain. He spent some years as a wandering penitent hermit before joining the Observant Franciscan friars near Córdoba.

Supporting brotherhood through manual labor

As a friar he worked at various manual trades to support the brotherhood. In 1441 he went to the Canary Islands as one of the first missionaries. Although lacking formal education, his good sense and zeal led him to be selected as guardian of the friary in Fuerteventura, where he defended the rights of the indigenous people. The opposition of the colonizers sent him back to Spain in 1449.

Ruins of the Franciscan church and friary in Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands where Saint Didacus served as a missionary.

Deep life of prayer

In 1450 Diego went on pilgrimage to Rome for the Holy Year and canonization of Bernardine of Siena; he remained there for some years tending the infirm friars and reaching out to the poor of the city. Returning to Spain, he spent the latter part of his life in tasks of humble service. He died, noted for his deep life of prayer, at Alcalá de Henares, not far from Madrid, in 1463.

Saint Diego feeds the poor in this painting by Murillo (1663).

Popular in Spain and Latin America

Diego was proclaimed a saint in 1588; King Philip II of Spain was especially eager for this in gratitude for a miracle worked at Diego's intercession on behalf of his son. For many years Diego was venerated in the Order as the special patron of those brothers engaged in manual “blue collar” work because he was the first Friar Minor to be canonized who was not ordained (according to tradition, Francis himself was a deacon). He is especially popular in Spain and Latin America.

Diego's feast is celebrated in most of the Franciscan Order on November 13; it is advanced to November 7 in the United States due to the memorial of America’s Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini on November 13.

Mission San Diego in San Diego, California, was founded by Saint Junipero Serra in 1769. The present church dates from 1803.

The importance of humble, manual labor

Diego’s life reminds us Franciscans of the important place of humble, manual labor. As Saint Francis said in the Rule of the Friars Minor:

The brothers should exercise that trade which they know, if it is not against the good of their soul and can be performed honestly. For the prophet says: “You shall eat the fruits of your labors. . .”

In his Testament, Francis reminded his brothers:

And I worked with my hands, and I still desire to work; and I earnestly desire all the brothers to give themselves to honest work. Let those who do not know how to work, learn!!

Cover image: Detail of the statue of St. Diego de Alcalá on the campus of the University of San Diego, which bears his name and houses the Franciscan School of Theology. (Photo credit: Peter Thien, OFM)