I was first introduced to San Pasqual during a visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Since that time, I have enjoyed learning about this dear saint, his kindness to the poor and his devotion to the mysteries of the Church especially the Eucharist.
San Pasqual was born in Torrehermosa, Spain in the Kingdom of Aragon on May 24, 1540 on the Feast of Pentecost called in Spain “the Pasch (or “Passover”) of the Holy Ghost,” hence the name Paschal. He was a mystic and contemplative, and he had frequent visions and spent many nights in prayer before the altar.
When just a child, he worked as a shepherd and taught himself to read with the help of some of the townspeople. He joined the Reformed Franciscan Order around 1564. He was devoted to the poor, and though a bowl of broth was the standard handout to the poor who came to the monks for sustenance, he would cook a pot of cabbage, add bread and meat and give it to the poor believing they deserved more than leftovers.
San Pasqual was a simple Franciscan monk devoted to the Holy Eucharist. He was assigned duties in the monastery’s kitchen. He was known for making wonderful meals with the simple foods that he found in his humble kitchen. As he cooked, his fellow friars would see him meditating or praying and believed he had the help of angels to assist him in his daily tasks. He is considered the patron saint of cooks and kitchens. San Pasqual died on May 17,1592 which is his current feast day.
“I joyfully celebrate the food I am given. May it deeply nourish everyone that I feed.”~ San Pasqual.
My Sources ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paschal_Baylon
http://www.franciscanos.org/santoral/pascualbailon.htm
I love food! I read cookbooks like they were novels. I get giddy in a farmer’s market. I find a chicken in a pot surrounded by carrots, onion, and celery a thing of beauty. My favorite sound is Mmmmmmmm!
Very interesting, I enjoyed learning about that:)
Thanks, Abby. 🙂
Is San Pasquale, St. Paschal Baylon and San Pasqualito one and the same person?
San Pasqual and St. Paschal Baylon are the same. I used the spelling I came across in New Mexico where I first heard of him. San Pasqualito is a folk saint associated with San Pasqual but with differences.
Sometimes things are just meant to be. Our parish priest is celebrating his 40th ordination anniversary and as a gift to the parish he is remodelling the rectory kitchen. I found a statue of San Pasqual and am giving it to our gourmet priest. Will be PERFECT!!! AND…..read on your website that San Pasqual was born on May 24. Guess when Father Anderson was ordained??? MAY 24!!!!!
Your comment has made my day. 🙂 I have a little retablo of San Pasqual in my kitchen which I love. It brings an air of cheerfulness. Congratulations to your priest on his ordination celebration and on the remodeled rectory kitchen! Thanks so much for sharing that with me.
This a very heartwarming event! What did your gourmet priest think of the statue?
Have enjoyed a good number of delicious and fun times at this wonderful restaurant
We have a Santo of San Pasquale in our kitchen, and I know his presence blesses our meals. Thank you for the history!!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😀
We have a good friend who is from Madrid and he is also a Chef and restaurant owner in our town of Bryson City NC. His name is Pasqual so how could I not buy one of the wooden statues honoring San Pasqual. Since my statue did not come with any info on this story, I am printing this story for him to hang beside his Saint.
That’s wonderful! I’m glad I could help out. 😀
Hello,
My name is Pasquale! I have been in the restaurant business all of my life. I was known as Pasqually “The Pizzaman.” A friend recently gave me a statue of San Paschal, the Patron Saint of Cooks and Kitchens.
I love it and your story. I keep this wonderful statue in my kitchen, he actually looks a little like me when I was a young man. I am retired now, but still do a lot of cooking for my family and friends.
Very nice to meet you Pasquale! The story of San Pasqual is a cheerful one indeed. I love that you bear his name and have spent your life feeding people! Thanks for dropping in it is pleasure!
I am sooo excited to learn about St Paschal. My friends and I have a meal ministry at our methodist church and his view of the Eucharist, feeding the poor and cooking really hits home with us. Thank you for the wonderful info.
You’re welcome! I’ve enjoyed learning about him as well. I’m happy to hear about your meal ministry. God bless!
I love this. I’m preparing my mother’s memorial and will be using San Pasqual on her prayer card.
That’s so sweet <3
I was given a painted picture of this beautiful saint . I cherish the gift from Linda and its meaning
I can imagine. What a wonderful gift!
I have hand painted watercolor of this dear Saint in the kitchen with the angels there also. It is hanging in my home and I treasure it. Thank you so much for the information on him.
Oh, you’re welcome! I enjoyed the research. 🙂
Hi Tammy, I’ve just come across you’re lovely website and feel more inspired to follow my dream now! I have been harbouring a passion to set up a social enterprise taking love of food and drink in a caravan and pop up cafe setting, to small isolated rural communities here in Scotland. Just to share food and stories with people who may otherwise be very isolated for various reasons would be a special privilege. Especially as you mention, who may feel overwhelmed by the big things and feel helpless, when in fact just little things could make a big difference. The recipes look amazing! My faith is also central to everything I do and I was delighted to read the story of St Pasqual. Thank you so much for your inspiration and love of others. :))
Thank you so much and your blog idea sounds amazing!!! I hope you will send me a link when you get it up and going. It is a wonderful thing to meet such lovely people all over the world. Good luck and God bless!!!
I am working on our annual Sacred Heart parish bazaar… which include a simple soup/bread/ salad and dessert menu. Our kitchen chairperson was called away as her sister is dying. So I looked up the patron Saint of cooks and kitchens so I could ask his intercession for someone to come forward to fill this most necessary void. Our is Bazaar is the major fundraiser for our parish so this is important. I am enlisting the prayers of all of us on the committee to ask Saint Paschal’s help in finding us the help we need. I would appreciate the prayers of whoever is reading this message too. Thank you!
I hope someone comes forward soon. God Bless you and your parish.
Is there a St. Pasquale cookbook?
Not one that I know of