Didacus Joseph of Cadiz

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.