The Thirteen Fridays of St. Francis of Paola

Among the devotional practices dedicated to the Saint, the most widespread and substantial is certainly that of the Thirteen Fridays of Saint Francis of Paola. An ancient tradition holds that Francis originated it and practiced it himself, recommending it to others in order to obtain all kinds of favors from the Lord. Today, adapted to new liturgical needs and a new way of understanding Christian devotion, it is, for those who practice it diligently, a true journey of spiritual life in the school of Saint Francis of Paola. The Saint did not specify any particular time of year for this devout practice, but his religious followers and all devout souls, in order to undertake it with the best dispositions and better ensure his patronage, have considered it more appropriate to observe the thirteen Fridays preceding the feast on April 2 (beginning on the first Friday of January), commemorating one of his principal virtues on each.