Daily Saint

St. Paschal Baylón was a humble Franciscan lay brother whose ardent love for God and profound humility reflected the depth of his piety.

Born on May 16, 1540, in Torrehermosa in the Kingdom of Aragon, Spain, Paschal grew up in a poor shepherd family. From an early age, he showed a remarkable devotion to prayer. While the sheep grazed, he would spend time in prayer, communing with God and growing in the virtues of self-denial, patience, and humility, which are abundantly available to those born into an impoverished life.

Though he had little formal schooling, he taught himself to read, asking passersby to help him identify letters in his devotional book. He sought to deepen his understanding of Scripture and spiritual writings. At age 24, he entered the Discalced Franciscan Friars as a lay brother. He deliberately chose not to pursue the priesthood, desiring a humble life of service instead.

Paschal faithfully carried out humble duties in the monastery—serving as porter, cook, and gardener. Yet it was in the chapel that his heart found its true home. His devotion to the Eucharist was his delight. He spent hours in silent adoration before the tabernacle, contemplating the mystery of Christ’s Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist.

At a time when the Church faced theological disputes about the Eucharist from anti-Catholic groups, Paschal was sent to France to take a message to his order’s general. Passing through France barefoot and wearing his habit, he was confronted by Huguenots, a group of anti-Catholics. While he avoided being killed, he was stoned and beaten, receiving a blow that left him lame in one arm for life. Yet he never talked about the incident and had nothing bad to say about his attackers.

St. Paschal died on May 17, 1592, and was canonized by Pope Alexander VIII in 1690. Many miracles were attributed to his intercession, and devotion to him grew rapidly. In 1897, Pope Leo XIII named him Patron of Eucharistic Congresses and Associations.