Saint Humilis was born in 1582 in Calabria. In baptism, he received the name of Luke Anthony, and at a very early age, he gave evidence of great love of God and holy things. His parents spared no efforts to give their boy good training. He obeyed not only their commands but even their last wishes. The noisy games of his associates held no attraction for him; he found his delight in prayer and in going to church. His confessor was aware of the special gifts God was granting to the boy, and permitted him, at a very early age, to receive Holy Communion frequently.
As a young man, he spent the time he could spare from his heavy duties in the fields and with the flocks by meditating on the sufferings of our Savior before a crucifix. At eighteen, when it was necessary to choose a vocation, Luke Anthony began to pray fervently for light. He joyfully came to the conclusion that he was called to be a lay brother in the Franciscan Order.
A cross awaited him at the start, however. Obstacles presented themselves, and the fulfillment of his cherished desire had to be postponed for quite a time. He did not, however, lose courage, but began to lead a life like that of a strict and zealous religious. Nine years passed by before the hindrances were removed. He was now admitted as a lay brother at Bisignano and received the name that fitted him so well, Brother Humilis, that is, the humble one.
He was also blessed with extraordinary gifts of reading hearts, prophecy, miracles, and especially of infused knowledge. He astonished the theologians responding to the questions on Sacred Scripture and on any point even though he was illiterate. His life was “an incessant prayer for all human beings”. His prayers were simple but flowed from the heart. He died on 26 November 1637 in Bisignano, Cosenza, Italy. He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII on 29 January 1882. Canonized by Pope John Paul II o 19 May 2002.