Saint Salvator
Image: Vendita di Santini Holy Cards
(Franciscan Media) Born Salvador (Salvator) Pladevall i Bien in Spain Girona to a poor family, his parents worked as servants, Salvator developed a reputation of righteousness which can be its own nuisance at times.
At the age of 21 young Salvator, entered the Franciscans as a Brother and soon became known for his self-discipline, humility and simplicity.
As a cook, porter and a mendicant for the Friars in Tortosa, Salvator became well known for his charity, visitation and intercessory prayers for the sick. When crowds of sick people came to see Salvator, the Friars transferred him to Horta but once again, the sick would continue to flock to him, asking for his intercessory prayers–one person estimated that 2,000 people a week came to see him.
Salvator would tell those people seeking his intercessory prayer to examine their consciences, go to confession and receive the Eucharist worthily, refusing to say intercessory prayers for those who would not receive the sacraments.
The public attention given to Salvator was relentless, crowds would sometimes tear off pieces of his religious habit as relics.
Two years before Salvator’s death, he was moved again, this time to Italy Cagliari the capitol of Sardinia where he passed away saying his final words:
“Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”
Salvator was Beatified in 1606 by Pope Paul V and Canonized in 1938 by Pope Pius XI
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