Paschal Baylón

Paschal Baylón (16 May 1540 – 17 May 1592) was a Spanish Catholic religious brother in the Order of Friars Minor.

He served as a shepherd alongside his father in his childhood and adolescence, but desired to enter the religious life. He was refused once but later was admitted as a Franciscan lay brother and became noted for his strict austerities, as well as his love for and compassion towards the sick.

He was sent to Paris, France; on the way he encountered Calvinists and was nearly killed by a mob. He was best known for his strong and deep devotion to the Eucharist.

The process for his canonization opened and in 1618 he was beatified. Pope Alexander VIII canonized him a saint on 16 October 1690.

On 28 November 1897, Pope Leo XIII proclaimed Baylón patron of Eucharistic congresses and confraternities.