Frances chose to embrace her cross and soon found herself married (at 13) to a kind and wealthy nobleman. His last words to her were, "I feel as if my whole life has been one beautiful dream of purest happiness. Donations to Catholic Vitality Publications, Copyright 2011 Roman-Catholic-Saints.com. in all the aspects of life. Help us to discern what comes from our will and what comes from God's desire. At one point there were three men claiming to be pope. Probably the hardest work of healing Frances had to do in her life was to restore Lorenzo back to his old self. Her family is, It's always the other guy's fault. After her husbands death, Frances moved in with the Oblates of Mary and became the superior. Fasting and scourging were far easier than this torture God now asked her to face. The Lord also gives me important work to do. Clement of Rome was the third successor of Saint Peter, reigning as pope during the last decade of the first century. In 1425, St Frances of Rome and a half dozen other Roman ladies, her companions, were clothed as oblates of St Benedict. I also know that you have given me work to do in this world. At the age of 52, she had the life she wanted at age 11. If God can work through me, he can work through anyone. From that point on, St. Frances (reluctantly) accepted her vocation and lived it out as perfectly as she could until her husbands death. The amazing life story of the We see the world in a different light than the rest do, and sometimes, we're misunderstood because of it. (But don't force your opinions on others or get discouraged by lack of interest. Although she accomplished much for the Church outside the confines of her home (including founding a society of women dedicated to serving the poor and those in need), what is most striking about Frances is her understanding of the sanctity of the home. Pope Paul V canonized Frances in 1608. Her recovery was immediate and complete. 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. And where there is sadness, joy. Frances surely experienced moments like this. Nicole Abisinio, Author Insights: an Insider Look at Catholic Publishing. Finally, St. Alexis (who had run away to live on the street when his family tried to force him to marry) appeared to her. But her initial consent to Gods will would be sorely tried. Her husband was a good man who cared about her very much. Frances and Vannozza became the best of friends and made a plan to balance their devotions with their obligations to their families. ", Do you have a spiritual friend who helps you on your journey, someone to pray with and serve with? Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Same boat, friend. In addition to writing, she also homeschools her daughters, and is the social media manager for the Office of Natural Family Planning in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. A converted Mabilia did her best to imitate Frances after that. (Source: The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi 1905). Thankfully, Ive found adoration chapels and unlocked churches over the years, and have been able to pray with the Eucharistic Jesus on countless occasions. (Source), We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh, but, instead, we must be simple, humble and pure. Why couldn't Frances be more like Vannozza? After years of begging he was so unrecognizable that when he returned home his own father thought he was just another beggar and made him sleep under the stairs. She was born in Rome to a noble family in 1384 and died in Rome on March 9, 1440. With the new responsibilities of family life, the young mother turned her attention more to the needs of her own household. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. She wanted to devote her life to Jesus Christ. She did this for seven years, until her husband passed away, and then came to live the remainder of her life with the societyserving the poorest of the poor. Shop St. Frances of Rome. She would have preferred to become a nun, but obeyed her father and became an exemplary wife and the mother of three children. Having her husband and father-in-law completely on her side meant she could do what she always wanted. 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. But a household as large as the Ponziani's needed someone to run it. St. Frances of Rome, Pray for Us! St. Frances of Rome - Catholic News Agency Where there is Mercy and Prudence, there is neither Excess nor Harshness. In a time when fathers ruled absolutely in their homes, Frances path had been decided, but she didnt have to like it. Most people donate because Catholic Online is useful. An equal soc, I suspect if you took a poll of Council Bluffs, yo, I dont know what else to say, except maybe.. GET, **Inequality is not a problem or an issue. If you want to learn more about her, just look her up on your favorite Catholic websites that feature saint biographies, such as New Advent. St. Frances of Rome Pray Always Catholic Quotes Catholic Saints Married Woman Quites Rome Anniversary Faith Loyalty More information . After her husband died, she went Catholic Exchange is a project of Sophia Institute Press. Where there is despair, hope; St Frances was then placed in charge of the household; and she carried out her duties, not only efficiently, but also in a genuinely Christian manner. At the age of 12 she married another Roman noble, Lorenzo Ponziani. Keep us faithful in your service, and help us to see and follow you. But her problems did not disappear. Read more:Fully alive: The little terror who wanted to be a saint. At seventeen, St Frances of Rome gave birth to her first son, John Baptist; and shortly afterwards her mother-in-law died. The challenge is, like Frances of Rome, to be open to finding God in the little and unexpected moments. For Frances that meant dressing up to her rank, making visits and receiving visits -- and most importantly doing it gladly. Still, some of us are so caught up in our penances and what we gave up that we often overlooked these amazing saints. St. Frances had three children: two sons and a daughter. John Baptist, the oldest son, was taken hostage, and did not return until peace was restored. Where there is darkness, light; And . as an ebook download. (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. From her mother she inherited a quiet manner and a pious devotion to God. But before him, there was a Frances of Rome. The trick of the devil is to convince us that our circumstances make holiness impossible. Then look around you. She had a vision that St. Alexis. Follow AzQuotes on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. The peasants from the wasted Ponziani farm came to St Frances, begging for food. Her Michelle Horst, Teenagers are complicated and at times stubborn, yes, but we are not dumb. Saint Clement | Franciscan Media St. Frances of Rome is the Parish Church. * Inequ, Art, My wife was born in Pawtucket. Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more. Recent Articles. It struck Rome with devastating cruelty and left Frances second son dead. This was especially difficult when I was a new mom with young children. For a time she too was stricken by the plague, but after she was suddenly cured she at once resumed her works of charity. During the plague, she worked tirelessly to save those whom she could, and bury those who died. God has given me so much in your love. Here's a look at 12 quotes (largely attributed to the friar) that will inspire the way you live your faith. Blessed is She is a sisterhood of women who want to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through their Catholic faith. Pin on Quotes - Pinterest Every creature in distress has the same right to be protected. However, at 12yrs, she was forced by her family into an arranged marriage to a wealthy commander of papal troops, Lorenzo Ponziani. The current and most active is the worship center in Wildomar. 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. 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? The Ponziani palace was in the Trastevere section of Rome, and just around the corner was the little church of San Francesco a Ripa. When their father-in-law sold all the familys extra grain and wine so that Frances could no longer give it away, the granary was miraculously filled for months, no matter how much she passed out to the poor, and the one cask of wine never ran dry. If we are living a holy life, we are going to long for God. From her father, however, she inherited a strong will. Yet this kidnapping probably saved Battista's life because soon a plague hit -- a plague that took the lives of many including Frances' nine-year-old son Evangelista. entertain, and live a worldly life that didnt appeal to her. Return to Franciscan Calendar Page Return to Incorruptible Saints Page Return to Saints Page Return to Roman Catholic Saints Homepage. St. Alexis told her God was giving her an important choice: Did she want to recover or not? On the drive home, I remember being in tears, because I longed so much to be with Jesus at Mass. Want to see fewer ads on Aleteia? O Divine Master, If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men. . . She too had entertained thoughts of entering a convent before her marriage, and she joined St Frances in her works of piety and charity. What Frances had written off as frivolity was just Vannozza's natural easy-going and joyful manner. Eventually they bought a house where the widowed members could live in community. Married Saint: St. Frances of Rome. Frances died in 1440 at the age of 56. Man, Oh Man, Catechism in a Year Podcast is Right Around the Corner. After all, Lent is arguably the most important liturgical season of the year. | Privacy Policy Frances nursed her back to health and healed their differences as well. "The world is what it is. This apparently did not cancel her membership in the Third Order; for, at this time she and Vanozza made a pilgrimage to Assisi, walking the one hundred miles from Rome to the city of St Francis. After praying in agony, Frances responded: Gods will is mine. Immediately she recovered and returned to the life she hated. Where there is doubt, faith; Saint Frances of Rome and Purgatory - Catholic365 When necessary, use words." This is, perhaps, the best known and most commonly quoted statement made by St. Francis of Assisi. Twitter. The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today. There is so much more I wish I could share about St. Frances of Rome but it would make this article a lot longer than it is. When she complained to her spiritual director that she did not want to get married, he famously replied, Are you crying because you want to do Gods will or because you want God to do your will? Ouch. - King Fernando III! For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. And I soon learned that she was not only advising other women with these words, she was incorporating them into her own life, too. In Rome at that time a father's word was law; a father could even sell his children into slavery or order them killed. Born of wealthy parents, Frances found herself attracted to the religious life during her youth. Looking at the exemplary life of fidelity to God and devotion to her fellow human beings which Frances of Rome was blessed to lead, one cannot help but be reminded of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, who loved Jesus Christ in prayer and also in the poor.