July 14
Francisco Solano (1549–1610)
Franciscan religious
He was born in Córdoba, Spain, and at the age of twenty he became a Franciscan and became master of novices and then superior of the convent of San Francisco del Monte.
Biography
In 1589 he embarked in Cádiz, with eleven other religious men, and the American adventure began, in which shipwrecks, calamities and dangers occurred, until he reached Tucumán along the route of the conquistadors and for ten years he missioned there. He soon learned the languages of the Peruvian land and his popular and simple preaching had an indelible effect on his listeners. Since 1601 he lived in Lima where this great apostle of the Indians died, who is represented accompanied by the crucifix and the violin with which he evangelized them. In the town of Huamauaca (northwest Argentina) every noon a figure of the saint comes out of the clock of the main church, and after showing the violin, he gives the blessing to the people.
Practical advice
During this day, set a good example in a conversation where it is easy to criticize, remembering that holiness is built in the ordinary.