The sprawling metropolis of San Diego is named after a 15th-century Franciscan friar, whose feast is November 12.
Many are familiar with the United States' city of San Diego in the state of California. However, relatively few know what San Diego means in Spanish or where the name came from.
It can also be confusing as many people know about St. Juan Diego, but that saint was only recently canonized.
What does San Diego mean?
St. Didacus of Alcala
When Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno named the area in California in 1602, he gave it the name San Diego. This is the Spanish name of the saint, known more often in the Catholic Church by his Latin name, St. Didacus.
St. Didacus was born around 1400 and gave-up everything he owned to become a Franciscan Friar. He was a lay friar and was initially sent to the Franciscan community on the Canary Island of Fortaventura.
Later he was recalled to Rome to be present at the canonization of St. Bernadine of Siena. He then remained in Rome and acted as an infirmarian in the convent of Ara Coeli. Miracles were already attributed to his intercessory prayer during his lifetime and many recognized his holiness.
Near the end of his life he was sent to Spain, where he spent most of his time in contemplation. The St. Andrew's Daily Missal provides a glimpse into the final days of his life on earth:
Christ's Passion was the usual subject of his meditation and prayer, and when he felt his end approaching he recited the words of the Good Friday hymn: "Precious wood and precious nails, which bear this precious load; what glory to be found fit to bear heaven's Lord," and so he gave up his soul to God.
His feast is celebrated either on November 12 or November 13, though it is no longer on the universal calendar of the Catholic Church.
