Catholic Church celebrates feast of San Francisco de Borja

The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saint Francis Borgia on October 3. Born in Gandía, Spain, in 1510, Borgia was a member of the nobility and the great-grandson of the pope. His maternal grandfather was Ferdinand II of Aragon.

Borgia married Leonor de Castro in 1529 and had 8 children. Following the death of his wife, he experienced a spiritual conversion that led him to renounce his wealth and privileges to follow Christ as a religious.

After a period of discernment, Borgia joined the Society of Jesus. He eventually served as the third general of the order.