St. Francis Jerome

Was ordained in 1666 and became a Jesuit in 1670.

Worked among the poor slum-dwellers in Southern Italy, spending almost all his time with them
in the most unsanitary and disreputable parts of the cities. He brought them the ministry of the
Word, the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist.

Sent into the streets of Naples. He would go about preaching and urging his hearers to come to Mass and Communion on the Communion Days.

He would also visit the slaves who were chained to their places and would try to console and
relieve their suffering in whatever way he could.

When Francis requested to go to the Japanese missions, his Superior's response was: "the
Kingdom of Naples is to be your Japan."

Some clerics tried to obstruct his work by reporting to the Bishop that Francis who was
occupied with street preaching and the worst kind of sinners was not suitable to give retreats to
priests and nuns who were living in virtue.
Restrictions were then put on Francis' work, but he continued his labors in Naples and its
suburbs until 1702 when he was asked to carry his mission outside Naples to distant places.

Eventually the entire Kingdom of Naples heard about his prophecies and his healings, and
everyone considered him a distinguished preacher, not because his sermons possessed classical elegance, but because his simple language and expressions were filled with earnestness and
conviction of the truth.

Canonized in 1839.