Resurrecting Antonella, the Fish

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I would like to introduce you to another friar named Francis who loved animals and worked miracles. St. Francis of Paolo was born on March 27, 1416 (and named after St. Francis of Assisi) and died on April 2 1507. He was from the town Paolo, in modern day southern Italy and was, like the more popular Francis, a founder of a religious community, and, just like his patron, he was never ordained a priest. He called his community the Order of Minims, which comes from the Italian word minimo, which means smallest or the least. Francis of Paolo called himself il minimo dei minimi, which means the least of the least. He did this to distinguish himself from the incredibly famous and popular Friars Minor founded by St. Francis of Assisi.

Following that paradoxical existence of the Gospel, St. Francis of Paolo thoroughly acted in imitation of St. John the Baptist, “He [Christ] must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30). As such, the glory of God practically radiated from him and there are many fantastic stories that have been passed on from his earthly pilgrimage. For any history buffs out there, St. Francis of Paolo visited France in 1482, and on his visit prophesied to Louise of Savoy that she would give birth to the next king of France. In 1515 King Louis XII died without a male heir and, to much shock, the next in line was Louise of Savoy’s new son, who they decided to name Francis, king Francis I in honor of the il minimo dei minimi. This is a prophesy that took 33 years to come true.

St. Francis and companion cross the strait to Messina on his cloak

But perhaps prophesies aren’t your thing (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:1 for why they should be). Here is another one. Francis of Paolo got stiffed by a boatman, leaving him in need of crossing the Strait of Messina without a vessel. So he laid out his cloak tied part of it to his staff and sailed across, with companions. They safely arrived at their destination. But perhaps you, the modern skeptic, thinks this was just medieval MacGyver. So here is another one, and it is very pious and Christian, a family affair. His nephew had passed away and the boy’s mother sought St. Francis’ prayers in this trying time. Francis had the boy’s corpse brought to his cell in the church and he prayed over the body. The boy was resurrected and was so grateful for the experience of being brought back to life through prayer that he joined Francis’ order.

Now that his bona fides are established I want to share my personal favorite. St. Francis of Paolo was known for his love of animals.

“St. Francis had a favorite trout that he called ‘Antonella.’ One day, one of the priests, who provided religious services, saw the trout swimming about in his pool. To him it was just a delicious dish, so he caught it and took it home, tossing it into the frying pan. Francis missed 'Antonella' and realized what had happened. He asked one of his followers to go to the priest to get it back. The priest, annoyed by this great concern for a mere fish, threw the cooked trout on the ground, shattering it into several pieces. The hermit sent by Francis gathered up the broken pieces in his hands and brought them back to Francis. Francis placed the pieces back in the pool and, looking up to Heaven and praying, said: 'Antonella, in the name of Charity, return to life.' The trout immediately became whole and swam joyously around his pool as if nothing had happened. The friars and the workers who witnessed this miracle were deeply impressed by the miracle.” (Simi & Segreti, St. Francis of Paola, Rockford, IL: Tan Books, 1977, p. 26.)

For some reason I always remember miracles involving fish. For example I love the story of St. Anthony of Padua preaching to the fish when the heretics wouldn’t listen to him and hundreds of them nodding in agreement from the water. Or St. Brendan and the whale! I also love the biblical story of Jonah. I like to think it is because one of the earliest symbols of our Lord is a fish, but it probably has something more to do with the fact that I just love the water. I should also say there are multiple stories of Francis raising animals from the dead, such as a lamb. So he did not possess a bias toward aquatic life (like myself). St. Francis seemed to believe that these particular animals would remain with us somehow after their death, returning in the transfigured creation, which is why even after their death he continued referring to them by the names he had given them. This should be a relief to all with pets. 

Why share this at all? It is very popular today to speak about the importance of meaning and enchantment or their lack in order for us to have a full flourishing human life. I personally believe, as a faith, that these stories have profound significance. The truth is that we do live in a world of spirits and miracles, of the Lord working in profoundly inspiring and mysterious ways. When we read the Gospels Jesus is constantly performing exorcisms and healings. He reads hearts, walks on water, multiplies matter (loaves and fishes). These are fantastic! For some reason we tend to focus our imagination and wonder at either the demonic (as evident by the success of all things horror) or the fairy (Ghiblify-ing everything just for a taste of an enchanted life).

I say this for the secular person and the Christian. Why do we view these saint stories as embarrassing when we so obviously crave what they contain? The stories of the saints, their legends, their hagiography, are the fulfillment of the fairy story, the flip-side of the demonic horror, they are the continuation of the wonders of Christ through the members of His Body. A common title for many saints is Wonderworker. This is what St. Nicholas (Yes, Santa) was most known for. These sorts of people still exist even to the modern era (Padre Pio anyone?). In the eastern churches they refer to saints like Francis as possessing the fragrance of paradise which essentially alerts animals to their peace. Their holiness turns them into little Eden radiators and lets the animals enter into their primordial purpose of glorifying God. There are people like this right now.

So my suggestion is simple and straightforward. Don’t just look to the saints the way modern people look toward gurus for self-help advice. The saints are the full package. Yes, they do have profoundly edifying writings on the spiritual life. Read them. But, equally so, they have wonderful stories that remind us God can work through ordinary sinners by means of His grace to do wondrous things that inspire faith, and sometimes awe and mystery. Learn them, share them (often) with your friends, and teach them to your children. Our faith is both rational and imaginative. It incorporates both sides of the brain (to reference Iain McGilchrist’s work). To have a thriving experience of Catholicism we don’t just need arguments and history books we need music, cathedrals, and the wonders of the saints. This isn’t even to mention that the saints actually are still alive and want (and have!) relationships with us right now in the wonder of the Eucharist.

Answer me this, what does eternal life mean when God is so generous that He, in the name of Love, brings a man’s favorite trout back to life? 

St. Francis of Paola, pray for us!