Early Life and Path to Holiness:

Born around 1390 into a noble family in Calatafimi, Sicily, the Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi demonstrated a deep inclination toward religious life from a very young age, deliberately avoiding worldly distractions. Drawn to solitude and contemplation, he retreated to a cave near the Church of Santa Maria del Giubino. It is in this secluded place that he reportedly experienced frequent apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, experiences that greatly deepened his devotion and reinforced his reputation for sanctity. Word of his holiness and the miracles associated with him soon spread, attracting many who sought his guidance and spiritual counsel.

Franciscan Vocation and Ministry:

Seeking an even more secluded environment conducive to meditation, Archangel later moved to Alcamo, where he dedicated himself to caring for the sick in the old hospital of Sant'Antonio, which he helped restore. When Pope Martin V issued a decree requiring hermits to join recognized religious orders, Archangel joined the Franciscan Order of Observants at the friary of Santa Maria di Gesù in Palermo, receiving the habit from Blessed Matthew of Girgenti. Eventually, at the request of the people of Alcamo, he returned to the town, where the local community converted the old hospital into a Franciscan friary under his leadership. There, he established a model convent renowned for its strict observance, guiding the friars by his example of prayer, humility, poverty, and mortification. In addition to his monastic discipline, he was an active preacher, dedicated to guiding sinners to repentance.

Miraculous Intercessions and Healings:

Throughout his life, Archangel was known for his compassionate care of the sick and poor. Many accounts tell of miraculous healings and assistance received through his prayers and blessings. The apparitions of the Virgin Mary during his years of solitude became a defining part of his spiritual identity, inspiring both himself and those around him. Even after his death, his sanctity continued to be affirmed by miracles attributed to his intercession at his grave in the Franciscan church in Alcamo.

Death and Legacy:

He died in Alcamo on July 24, 1460—though some sources cite July 26 as the date of his passing—and his body was interred in an urn within the Church of Santa Maria di Gesù in Alcamo. His cult was officially recognized by Pope Gregory XVI, who proclaimed him Blessed on September 9, 1836. The continued veneration of Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi is a testament to his enduring spiritual legacy and the impact of his life of prayer, service, and devotion.

Blessed Archangel of Calatafimi Pray for us!