St. Frances of Rome
St. Frances of Rome
When she lived:
St. Frances of Rome, also known as Saint Francesca Romana, lived from January 9, 1384, to March 9, 1440.
Where she lived:
St. Frances of Rome lived in Rome, Italy, during the late medieval period.
Notable world events during her life:
- The Western Schism (1378-1417): This was a major split within the Catholic Church, leading to multiple rival popes and a significant period of confusion and division within the Church.
- The Fall of Constantinople (1453): Although slightly after her lifetime, the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire marked the end of the Byzantine Empire, which had significant cultural and religious implications.
- The Renaissance (14th-17th century): While St. Frances of Rome lived during the early stages of the Renaissance, this period of great cultural and artistic transformation had already begun to shape Italy, especially in Florence and Rome.
- The invention of the printing press (1440s): Although just after her lifetime, Johannes Gutenberg’s invention had a profound impact on the spread of knowledge, including religious texts, and played a crucial role in the Reformation.
Her patronage:
- Housewives and homemakers: Frances of Rome was a devoted wife and mother, known for her exemplary domestic skills, making her a beloved patron for women managing households.
- Motorists and drivers: She is also the patron saint of motorists, likely due to a famous story in which she miraculously guided a wagon out of a difficult situation.
- Obstetricians and midwives: St. Frances of Rome’s compassion extended to the care of pregnant women and newborns, making her an ideal patron for those involved in childbirth.
- The homeless and those rejected by religious orders: Frances devoted herself to helping the poor and those rejected by religious communities, offering a compassionate example of caring for the marginalized.
- Rome: As a resident of Rome, she is considered one of the city’s patron saints, and her life is deeply connected to the religious and cultural history of the Eternal City.
St. Frances of Rome’s life was marked by her unwavering devotion to her faith, her commitment to serving others, and her ability to find spiritual significance in everyday life. She stands as a compelling figure from a time of religious and cultural change, with a legacy that continues to inspire people in various walks of life.
Early Life
St. Frances of Rome was an Italian saint who was born in 1384 in Rome to wealthy parents, and she died in 1440. She was happily married for forty years to a well-off man, and they had three children. She was a wife, a mother, and an organizer of charitable services. She was also highly dedicated to the Benedictines, which is a monastic religious order and the official order of St. Benedict.
From the tender age of eleven, she wanted to be a nun, but when she was twelve years old, her parents forced her to marry Lorenzo Ponziani. Lorenzo was the commander of the papal troops in Rome, and he was from an extremely wealthy family.
When her mother-in-law passed away, St. Frances became the mistress of the household.
Her Works
Even though her dream to be a nun did not come true, she was able to do her charitable deeds. In the company of her sister-in-law, Vannozza, they visited the poor and took care of the sick. These charitable deeds served as an inspiration to other wealthy men to do the same.
During a time of flood and famine, with her authority as the mistress of her household, she was able to turn part of the family’s country estate into a hospital. She also distributed food and clothes to the poor. She also went on to make their beds and clean their sores.
St. Frances’ father-in-law was not happy with the way she was giving household supplies to the poor, and at some point he took the keys to the supply rooms from her. However, he later returned them to her.
St. Frances is known for fasting a lot, and she is said to have developed continuous suffering.
St. Frances is also believed to have had visions, which were usually in the form of drama enacted for her by heavenly personages. She also had the gift of miracles and ecstasies, as well as bodily visions of her guardian angels.
She also had visions of Hell and Purgatory and foretold the end. St. Frances was also capable of reading the secrets of conscience and detecting plots of evil origin.
St. Frances was remarkable for her humility, detachment, obedience, and patience.
Impact of Power Struggles
There was a time when there was a war between the pope in Rome and various anti-popes, and her husband was in support of the pope. This resulted in their son Battista having to be delivered as a hostage to the commander of the Napoleon Troops (anti-popes), and she escorted him to the soldiers.
On her way to meet the soldiers, she entrusted her son’s life to the blessed mother, and when they finally met with the soldiers and her son was put on the horse, the horse refused to move. Despite all efforts, including heavy whipping, the horse did not move. The soldiers then returned Battista to his mother, as they saw the hand of God in this.
Also due to St. Frances’ husband’s support of the pope, they were forced into exile, and much of Lorenzo’s property and possessions were destroyed. He was also severely injured, and his wife, St. Frances, nursed him.
During the time when her husband was injured and their household was attacked, she was the only one who remained strong and kept the faith, yet everyone grieved the misfortunes that had befallen them.
The city of Rome was in chaos during this time when the pope and various powers were having power struggles. During this time, St. Frances also opened her home as a hospital. Unfortunately, St. Frances and Lorenzo lost two children during the plague.
Her Legacy
On August 15, 1425, St. Frances founded the Olivetan Oblates of Mary, which is a confraternity of pious women under the authority of Olivetan monks.
In March 1433, she also founded the monastery at Tor de’ Specchi, which allowed those members of the confraternity who felt so called, and this monastery remains the only house of the institute.
The community later became known as the Oblates of St. Frances of Rome. St. Frances remained in her home, nursing her own husband for the last seven years of his life. After her husband’s death in 1436, she moved into the monastery and became the superior.
Her grave was identified in 1638, and her remains, which were now mainly bones, were reburied in the church of Santa Maria Nova on March 9, 1649. Her bones were exhumed again in 1869, and they are now displayed in a glass coffin for veneration.
The church of Santa Maria Nova is now usually referred to as the Church of St. Frances.
She was canonized in 1608, and March 9 is considered her feast day.
St. France is known as the patron saint of automobile drivers because there is a legend that says an angel used to light the road before her with a lantern when she traveled.
St. Frances is also known as the patron saint of all oblates and the patron saint of widows.
6 Interesting Facts About St. Frances of Rome
- Even though she was in an arranged marriage, it was a happy one.
- Soon after her marriage, St. Frances fell ill, and she claimed that
St. Alexis appeared to her and cured her. - Her father-in-law saw that even though she was taking supplies
from the household to give to the poor, they will be replenished when
She finished the prayer. - Over 60 cases attested to her gift of healing during her
canonization proceedings. - She personally drove her wagon in search of firewood and herbs.
for medicine - Her remains were found intact some months after her death.
Prayer to St. Frances of Rome
Merciful Frances, in France and Rome, you have given us a unique example of love in marriage as well as in religious life. Keep us faithful in your service, and help us to see and follow you in all aspects of life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever Amen
