Francisco Caracciolo

Biography

He was twenty-five years old when he received by mistake a letter addressed to one of his cousins, Ascanio Caracciolo, his namesake. He read it and learned that a Neapolitan priest named Adorno had determined to found a congregation that would harmonize the contemplative life with the active one. This was precisely what Ascanio was looking for. He rushed to join Adorno and became a co-founder of the Minor Clerics Regular. He was twice superior of the Order. In 1589 he changed his name to that of his admired Francis of Assisi, as a tribute to the Poverello.