In the life of Saint Frances of Rome, Lord God, you gave us an outstanding example of the married state and the religious life. I feel as if my whole life has been one beautiful dream of purest happiness. Saint Frances of Rome is the Patron Saint of: Motorists Widows Having her husband and father-in-law completely on her side meant she could do what she always wanted. Her future husband Lorenzo Ponziani was noble, wealthy, a good person and he really cared for her. But it wasn't fashionable for noblewomen to help the poor and people gossiped about two girls out alone on the streets. From that point on, St. Frances (reluctantly) accepted her vocation and lived it out as perfectly as she could until her husbands death. At seventeen, St Frances of Rome gave birth to her first son, John Baptist; and shortly afterwards her mother-in-law died. From her mother she inherited a quiet manner and a pious devotion to God. *, I doubt she was singing in 1987 (Afghanistan) or i, "Free States." (Source), Pure holy simplicity confounds all the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of the flesh. Frances chose to embrace her cross and soon found herself married (at 13) to a kind and wealthy nobleman. Her desire as a young girl was to enter religion but, at her father's wish, she married at age twelve and had three children. Saint Frances of Rome, Italian Santa Francesca Romana, (born 1384, Rome [Italy]died March 9, 1440, Rome; canonized 1608; feast day March 9), founder of the Oblate Congregation of Tor de' Specchi (Oblates of St. Frances of Rome), a community that, with the Olivetan Benedictines, works for the sick and the poor. She was as opposite of Frances and Frances had been of her mother-in- law. (But don't force your opinions on others or get discouraged by lack of interest. Ask the beasts and they will teach you the beauty of this earth. This took a toll on Frances health, and she collapsed from the stress. Frances of Rome, the married saint most famous for remarking, A married woman must, when called upon, leave her devotions to God at the altar to find him in her household affairs, did not want to be married. Although it wasnt her first choice, her marriage and motherhood became a source of growth in holiness for her, and as the above quote conveys she discovered that God works in all vocations. Does It Matter Where Your Clothes Come From? The Franciscans remain an influential group within the Church, and the pope himself was so moved by his ministry that he took the name Francis. He told her that God was giving her a choice: to recover or not. Frances of Rome was an introvert who learned to thrive amid people. She surrendered her will to Gods, but she did so reluctantly. What Can Christians Do About Climate Change? Along those same lines, I remember a homily that my childhood pastor gave at Mass one day. Her husband called a man in who dabbled in magic, but St Frances drove him out of the house in no uncertain terms. To face tomorrow, confidently, courageously. Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reachmore than 20 million unique users per month! Copyright 2023 Catholic Exchange. Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you. Where there is doubt, faith; in all the aspects of life. Now the father-in-law changed his tune, saying: As long as Troja had Battista he knew the Ponzianis would stop fighting. When that didn't work Cecilia then appealed to her sons, but Lorenzo refused to interfere with Frances' charity. God has given me so much in your love. Valerian was delighted when the deacon asked for three days to gather all the gold and silver of the Church together in one central place! A Florida Lawyer Argues That a Pregnant Inmates Unborn Child Is Being Illegally Detained, Experts Predict the Ozone Layer Will Fully Heal Within 40 Years, The Biblical Reasons for Going Low Waste, The Spiritual Toll of Americas Food Waste Epidemic, The Buffalo Supermarket Shooter Has Been Sentenced to Life in Prison. Death seemed imminent. From an early age, Frances felt drawn to the religious life, but at the age of thirteen her parents forced her into marriage.. The beginning of the fifteenth century brought the birth of her first son, Battista, after John the Baptist. These incidents completely converted Lorenzo and her father-in-law. - King Fernando III! Shop St. Frances of Rome. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. Frances was still kneeling before the altar when she felt Battista's little arms around her. Thank you. She struggled with something that I struggle with on a daily basis: balancing prayer and work. If God can work through me, he can work through anyone. He, too, came from a wealthy family and wanted to give his life to God instead of getting married. This friend, like Frances' Vannozza, may be near you already. She was faithful to her duties but still managed multiple works of mercy, too. St Frances asked her family to have faith, and walked to the cellar with them. Whom do you have to fear? The life of St. Frances is an encouraging one. There was nothing she could do about it. She desired to enter the convent, but in obedience to her parents was instead married at age twelve to a young nobleman named Lorenzo de' Ponziani. They devoted themselves to God and served the poor. St. Alexis told her God was giving her an important choice: Did she want to recover or not? St. Frances of Rome is a Catholic Parish in the Diocese of San Bernardino, located in Wildomar, CA. They are emotions that come and go. It's FREE! Merciful Father, in Frances of Rome. Author: Scott Westerfeld. St. Frances of Rome, pray for me. What is it that stands higher than action? In return God was granting her a special grace by sending an archangel to be her guardian angel for the rest of her life. It seems a little odd that she should be considered the patroness of taxi drivers, especially since she herself lived centuries before the car was invented. She was a married woman who longed for a cloister. Saint Francis (of Assisi) (1964). She replied with a simple, Godswillis mine. Her recovery was immediate soon after. At this point, her house in ruins, her husband gone, one son dead, one son a hostage, she could have given up. She was still expected to entertain and go visiting with her mother-in-law. This Hilarious Card Game Will Keep You In Holy Stitches (and Out of Confession)! ""Not only do you know, you've helped me to know. as an ebook download. Pope Paul V canonized Frances in 1608. Unfortunately for her, her father was entirely unconcerned about her desireshe insisted that she marry. Frances was left alone against the attackers when she sent Lorenzo out of Rome to avoid capture. . Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. If we are living a holy life, we are going to long for God. With this new commitment, and a sister in Christ by her side, Frances turned more of her attention toward the needs of her own household. Thats right! Frances collapsed from the strain. she devoted herself to ministry to the poor, but she found herself needing to care more for her own family once she had children. To be understood as to understand, But in the midst of one of her tempers she was afflicted with a strange illness; and after Frances' hand calmed and cured her she became a changed person. From her father, however, she inherited a strong will. When she committed a slight fault, the archangel would hide himself and his light would not shine again until she had made an act of contrition. She started wearing a dress of coarse green cloth. The life of St. Frances is an encouraging one. St. Frances of Rome: Finding God in the Little Things Michele Chronister When I was an undergraduate at the University of Notre Dame, I began to feel that God was nudging my heart in the direction of the married vocation. She would always been able to see him. Frances placed the household in her care and devoted herself henceforth entirely to works of charity in the city. She looked around, cleared out the wreckage of the house and turned it into a makeshift hospital and a shelter for the homeless. Design byPerceptions Design Studio. 98% of our readers don't give; they simply look the other way. However, in 1925, Pope Pius XI assigned her the patronage because it was said that an angel used to light the road before her with a lantern when she traveled so she would avoid harm. I dont know about you but that seems like a pretty legit reason to invoke her intercession when driving under dangerous conditions. At times, this feels isolating, like I am the only one who wrestles with this. (Source), Keep a clear eye toward lifes end. Blessed is She is a sisterhood of women who want to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through their Catholic faith. There is a mistake in the text of this quote. St. Alexis told St. Frances her choice: to do Gods will and recover or to die. Every creature in distress has the same right to be protected. Frances fell ill for a time, but this apparently only deepened her commitment to the suffering people she met. Raise your hand if youve ever felt like God was calling you She was born in Rome to a noble family in 1384 and died in Rome on March 9, 1440. Is that too much to ask? I often wondered. She had a vision that St. Alexis. An ideal match -- except for someone who was determined to be a bride of Christ. There are good laws and there are occasionally bad laws, and it conforms to the highest traditions of a free society to offer resistance to bad laws, and to disobey them. Frances life combines aspects of secular and religious life. Probably the hardest work of healing Frances had to do in her life was to restore Lorenzo back to his old self. Copyright Aleteia SAS all rights reserved. (Source: Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, Volume 1), While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart. After two more children were born to her -- a boy, Giovanni Evangelista, and a girl, Agnes -- a flood brought disease and famine to Rome. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. But her heart was not in the marriage, and she still longed to be a bride of Christ. For Frances that meant dressing up to her rank, making visits and receiving visits -- and most importantly doing it gladly. But the reality is that for many of us (even for those in monasteries) we simply cant spend all of our time in ecstatic prayer. Dating culture crisis fuels Catholic marriage . As soon as she left, Troja had put Battista on a soldier's horse -- but every horse they tried refused to move. Born of wealthy parents, Frances found herself attracted to the religious life during her youth. (Source: The Counsels of the Holy Father St. Francis), It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching. "You should understand by now," the angel told her, "that the God who made your body and gave it to your soul as a servant never intended that the spirit should ruin the flesh and return it to him despoiled.". Featured image: Wikimedia commons. Thank you! Alek asked. As a young girl, she desperately longed for religious life. Her husband called a man in who dabbled in magic, but Frances drove him away, saying, "Begone, thou servant of Satan, nor ever venture into these walls again!" and later recounted to Vannozza that St. Alexis had appeared to her and cured her. Cecilia suffered under the laughter of her friends and yelled at her daughters-in-law to stop theirs spiritual practices. Pelayo's resistance initiated the nearly 800-year-long Reconquista to take back his country from the ruthless invader who had conquered his homeland and sought to erase his culture and his faith. Together they spent hours of prayer in a disused attic or an old summer cottage in the garden. age of 13. Her family was right, though -- she was an excellent administrator and a fair and pleasant employer. Especially for young children - One friend can make all the difference. little known incorrupt saint Today that would describe the, Incredible post Guy. read more . Fasting and scourging were far easier than this torture God now asked her to face. When I was an undergraduate at the University of Notre Dame, I began to feel that God was nudging my heart in the direction of the married vocation. Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. But Mabilia wanted none of it. The Los Angeles, CA native holds a B.A. May our resources renew your spirit as we share God's love in the spirit of St. Francis. She couldnt eat, speak, or even old. When he went to the empty granary, however, he found it miraculously filled with forty measures of wheat "so shining and so fullthat it seemed as though it had been raised in Paradise and reaped there by angels". Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. But there have been many times that it simply hasnt been possible. I stumbled upon the above quote from St. Frances of Rome a few years ago, when I was curious about the Saint whose feast day shares my birthday. I am not alone in my struggle to find balance. ""Yeah, I know. However, there is another layer to St. Francess words. ~Famous quote of Saint Frances. During the plague, she worked tirelessly to save those whom she could, and bury those who died. March 09, 2020 She begged God to prevent the marriage from happening. St. Frances of Rome, Pray for Us! It was difficult for people to understand her objection. Our Lord Jesus asked her to go into Purgatory to feel the pain of the poor souls there. But before him, there was a Frances of Rome. The amazing life story of the We are going to enjoy beautiful liturgy, beautiful hymns, and incense drenched adoration sessions. Writings, Francis of Assisi (2017). St. Frances had three children: two sons and a daughter. Where there is Peace and Contemplation, there is neither Care nor Restlessness. Design by Perceptions Studio. In Rome at that time a father's word was law; a father could even sell his children into slavery or order them killed. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as Gods creature. The family flourished under Frances care, but within a few years a great plague began to sweep across Italy. She turned the spicket on the empty cask and wine began to flow - the best wine any of them had ever tasted. As if that werent enough, she was able to see and receive spiritual advice from him. With these acts of piety and charity to sustain her, Frances was finally able to be the socialiteand gladly this time. She always worked with the poor in Rome. When I think of the happiness that is in store for me, every sorrow, every pain becomes dear to me. Frances also struggled with finding a balance between living a quiet, contemplative, and prayerful life and being present to the obligations she had to her husband and children. This was especially difficult when I was a new mom with young children. The exciting life story of Elected on 13 March 2013, Francis is the first member of the Society of Jesus to be appointed pope and the first non-European to hold the office since the 8th century. If you donate just $5.00, or whatever you can, Catholic Online could keep thriving for years. Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance. in Religious Studies from Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles and has completed part of an M.A. Donate. She gave in to the marriage -- reluctantly. , On the Feast of St. Frances of Rome #BISblog //. Unfortunately, in this fallen world of ours, sometimes it isnt possible and sometimes God is calling us to encounter him in a less traditional way. They decided their obligations to their family came first. Advertise on Catholic Exchange Every weekday, get RELEVANT's top five articles delivered to your inbox! We all know that St. Christopher is often invoked by drivers, but did you know that we motorists also have St. Frances as a patroness? To wait for the unfolding of Thy will, patiently, serenely. to do something you didnt want to do. Why couldn't Frances be more like Vannozza? In 1433, after Lorenzo's death, St Frances of Rome and her companions founded a religious community of Oblates. And . Improve yourself, find your inspiration, share with friends, This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. Her story is an amazing one and some of the obstacles she faced are still relevant to us today. Soon after her marriage, St Frances fell seriously ill. Her last words were "The angel has finished his task -- he beckons me to follow him. For years, Frances and Vannozza struggled against their in-laws, eager to honor and respect them but unwilling to abandon the poor as was expected of them. Instead, her parents arranged a marriage for her. Francis of Assisi's Prayers, p.72, Paper & Ink. She is honored as the principal patron of all Benedictine oblates, but she is also one of the greatest saints who wore the habit of the Third Order of St Francis. Sports Betting Hits a New High: A Crisis in the Making? joy, and simplicity. Click here for more on Saint Frances of Rome! But her problems did not disappear. Life, that's a different ball game. St. Frances of Rome is a model of self-surrender, obedience to the will of God, faithfulness to marriage, motherhood, and daily duty, service of neighbor, and the discipline of a rigorous spiritual life. St Frances (1384 - 1440) was born in Rome into a wealthy aristocratic family. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, The Lord loves the time I spend with Him. But her parents objected and a young nobleman was selected to be her husband. Her words gave me a tremendous amount of hope. by Marion Habig, ofm. ""Good to be useful," I said. Last words of her dying husband Lorenzo to Saint Frances. President James Buchanans executive secretary Katherine John-Peter has a message for anti-slavery Americans who want to save negroes from slavery and abolish, Nun and mother general. During study breaks, I would pour over the library shelves, trying to find a book on married saints. 5 out of 5 stars (694) $ 31.95. Man, Oh Man, Catechism in a Year Podcast is Right Around the Corner. For months she lay close to death, unable to eat or move or speak. Lent 2023 has arrived. In an effort to help alleviate some of the suffering, Frances used all her money and sold her possessions to buy whatever the sick might possibly need. And that's alright. Frances was expected to enter fully into the social life of the time and the quiet, prayerful girl was so overwhelmed by it all that she collapsed and lay on the brink of death for months. She received her BA and MA in theology from the University of Notre Dame (09 and 11). Saint of the Day for Saturday, March 4th, 2023, First Station: Jesus is condemned to death. Please helpus continue to bring high quality books to our readers at the lowest possible price! On her feast day (March 9), lets ask her intercession for all those who feel trapped in their lives, particularly those who feel alone and need a Vannozza to spur them on to holiness. All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle. Daily Reading for Sunday, March 5th, 2023, Lent - A Season of Reflection, Renewal and Preparation, Continue reading about St. Frances of Rome, St. Frances of Rome Sterling Silver Oval Pendant, Almsgiving, Prayer, and Fasting: The Three Pillars of Lent. God just had other plans for her in between. After his death, Frances moved into the house with the other Oblates and was made superior. St Frances of Rome was born into a noble Roman family in 1384. her to the point of her health collapsing. After some time, they also bought a house where widowed members could live in a community together. (Source), Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor doubt. The son of a noble family, Alexis had run away to beg rather than marry. Frances was stunnedand chastened. With Lorenzo's support and respect, Frances started a lay order of women attached to the Benedictines called the Oblates of Mary. In the early days of my motherhood, I encountered the quote famously attributed to St. Frances, It is most laudable in a married woman to be devout, but she must never forget that she is a housewife. She decided at eleven that she knew what God wanted for her -- she was going to be a nun. Frances became more and more convinced that this way of life was so necessary for the world, and it was not long before she requested and was given permission to found a society of women bound by no vows. St. Frances of Rome, pray for us! After a vision, Bernardino (later St. Francis) gave away his fortune, committing his life to serving God and the poor. Still, some of us are so caught up in our penances and what we gave up that we often overlooked these amazing saints. Always serving their families before all else, they began attending Mass together, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and even praying in a secret chapel they fashioned in an abandoned tower of their estate. (Source), Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self. Close to death, Frances had a vision of St. Alexis, a fourth-century monastic who became a beggar instead of marrying and lived a life of anonymity, even to his family. Frances was born in the city of Rome in 1384 to a wealthy, noble family. against it. She turned the spicket on the empty cask and wine began to flow - the best wine any of them had ever tasted. Then a miracle happened. Try sharing some of your spiritual hopes and desires with those closest to you. Her mother-in-law Cecilia loved to entertain and expected her new daughter-in-law to enjoy the revelry of her social life too. (and some new ones have been added since then!). and it wasnt until I was a mother that I discovered St. Frances of Rome. If we take our faith seriously, we will undoubtedly find ourselves longing to go to Mass or adoration, and to spend more time in prayer. At the age of 52, she had the life she wanted at age 11. To meet others, peacefully, joyously. She was expected to attend and host numerous parties while her heart longed for quiet time with God. Where there is the Fear of God to guard the dwelling, there no enemy can enter. Frances shows us that this life need not be restricted to those bound by vows. As a young, single woman (and in particular as a student at a Catholic college) I loved praying in the presence of Jesus in the tabernacle. Soon after her marriage, Frances fell seriously ill. On the Feast of St. Frances of Rome #BISblog //Click to tweet Her father, however, had different plans for her. There was nothing she could do to change his mind so her choice was this: accept the call of God put before her in peace or in misery. His pride and greed filled blinded him from seeing the truth. | Privacy Policy This highly acclaimed book is What do you have to fear? Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received - only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage. With the new responsibilities of family life, the young mother turned her attention more to the needs of her own household. At the age of 52, she had the life she wanted at age 11. Deep down, she wanted to live a devout life, too. Near Assisi St Francis himself appeared to them, and provided the hungry and thirsty pilgrims with fresh, juicy pears by striking a wild pear tree with his stick. Hoping for quiet and stillness at Mass so I can soak in the grace I desperately need for the next week. God requires that we assist the animals, when they need our help. On the drive home, I remember being in tears, because I longed so much to be with Jesus at Mass. As the wife of a wealthy nobleman, she was expected to party, Even though my children are older now, new challenges come into play. Frances surely experienced moments like this. Return to Franciscan Calendar Page Return to Incorruptible Saints Page Return to Saints Page Return to Roman Catholic Saints Homepage. After praying in agony, Frances responded: Gods will is mine. Immediately she recovered and returned to the life she hated. We should seek not so much to pray but to become prayer. St. Frances of Rome is one of the great mystics of the 15th century. But though her son came back a charming young man her husband returned broken in mind and body. Married life was not easy for her, especially at the tender After giving him up, Frances ran to a church to weep and pray. Frances shows us that this life need not be restricted to those bound by vows. The women lived in the world but pledged to offer themselves to God and serve the poor. image: Saint Frances and Saint Antony in the Saint Roch chapel at Fonteklaus by Wolfgang Moroder / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0). She gave birth to two sons and one daughter. "And St. Francis said: 'My dear son, be patient, because the weaknesses of the body are given to us in this world by God for the salvation of the soul.