Francis of Jesus was born in Los Hinojosos (Cuenca - Spain) on October 4, 1529; around the age of 12, he was adopted by the knight Juan Molina and taken to Ubeda.

Around the age of fifteen years, he was in Baeza, a beloved disciple of St. John of Avila, who made him rector of the primary schools close to the university of the town, a duty he carried out in clerical dress for thirty years, making himself famous, above all, as a dotrinero or catechist, and then as a popular preacher, also a duty he carried out at the wish of St John.

In February 1575, he met Teresa of Jesus in Beas, who invited him to Carmel. He therefore made a vow in her hands to become a Discalced friar, which he could only accomplish a few years later, through the intervention of Fr. G. Gracián. In early March 1582, he wore the habit as a layman in Baeza, making his novitiate in Seville, where he was professed in March 1583. In 1584, with two other religious, he left for Congo-Angola, arriving in San Salvador in early December. There, in the same month, he was ordained a priest, celebrating his first Mass on February 2^nd, 1585. He then began a tireless missionary ministry throughout the region, managing to convert many thousands of people with fiery preaching, endorsed by holiness of life and miracles, and by an extraordinary fervour that attracted him to the Eucharist and made him a living prayer.

He returned with his missionary companions to Spain in 1587, to convince his superiors to strengthen the number of apostles and to support their work. He was detained there and assigned to the Madrid monastery, where he became a highly esteemed and sought-after preacher and confessor.

He also carried out an apostolate in Barcelona and - for around four years - in Andalusia, everywhere working hard and leaving behind a reputation for great holiness. Even at the age of 76, he was sent to give a mission in Ubeda. On his return from Andalusia, he had a very serious accident, falling from his mount, which very quickly brought him close to death. He was taken to nearby Los Hinojosos where, after great sufferings endured in joy of spirit and prayer, he died on June 10, 1601, venerated by all as a great saint, for his Eucharistic ardour, his spirit of prayer, charity and mercy towards every kind of suffering in soul and body, for his love of the Virgin Mary, as well as his severe yet joyful penitential asceticism and his miracles. 

On November 27, 1937, the decree approving his writings was granted.