Didacus Joseph of Cadiz

Blessed Didacus Joseph (Spanish: Diego José), O.F.M. Cap., of Cadiz was born on March 29, 1743 and given the name Joseph Francis. His lineage dated from the Visigoth kings.

Though of noble ancestry, as a youth Joseph could make no progress at school, receiving the nickname of the "dunce of Cadiz". Later a classmate from the seminary, a Dominican friar named Antonio Querero, testified how difficult study had been for him. Initially rejected by the Franciscan Order (Order of Friars Minor) due to this perceived limitation of intellect, Joseph was later accepted by the Capuchin Friars and entered their novitiate in Seville, Spain, where he was given the name "Didacus". Later he was ordained to the priesthood, for which he prepared himself by a holy life. His first appointment was to the task of preaching. His biographers stated that the congregations marveled at the singular power of his words, which swayed his audiences and left an impression on their lives.

Hagiography

This unlearned man was a celebrated preacher in Spain. During his preaching one day, a child shouted aloud in the church: "Mother, mother, see the dove resting on the shoulder of Father Didacus! I could preach like that too if a dove told me all that I should say!" Fr. Didacus prayed devotedly before his sermons, even scourging himself unto blood, in order to draw down God's mercy upon the people.

Once when his superior chided him because of the austerity of his life, Didacus Joseph replied: "Ah, Father, my sins and the sins of the people compel me to do it. Those who have been charged with the conversion of sinners must remember that the Lord has imposed upon them the sins of all their clients. By means of our penances we should atone for the sins of our fellowmen and thus preserve ourselves and them from eternal death. It would hardly be too much if we shed the last drop of our blood for their conversion."

Didacus Joseph was appointed extraordinary consultor of the Church, the synodal examiner in almost all the Spanish dioceses; an honorary canon; and honorary doctor of several universities. He died in 1801, in the 58th year of his highly blessed life, and was beatified by Pope Leo XIII.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.