She always worked with the poor in Rome. Frances and Vannozza became the best of friends and made a plan to balance their devotions with their obligations to their families. [2] 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. After a vision, Bernardino (later St. Francis) gave away his fortune, committing his life to serving God and the poor. Finally, she whispered, "God's will is mine." With the new responsibilities of family life, the young mother turned her attention more to the needs of her own household. To be consoled as to console, Her consolation would be that God would grant her the grace of having an archangel as her guardian angel for the remainder of her life. There was nothing she could do about it. This was especially difficult when I was a new mom with young children. We should seek not so much to pray but to become prayer. Instead, her parents arranged a marriage for her. She complained to her confessor, who responded, Are you crying because you want to do God's will, or because you want God to do your will?. 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. Frances of Rome was disconsolate when her marriage was arranged, but it was through that very marriage that she became a saint. By the time Frances was 13, he already promised her hand in marriage to the son of another wealthy family. But her initial consent to Gods will would be sorely tried. By 1414 at least, the adjoining friary was one of 34 belonging to the Observant reform movement in the First Order of St. Francis, which was begun in 1368 by Brother Paul or Paoluccio of Trinci and in the following century was promoted by such saints as St Bernard and St John Capistrano. Even though my children are older now, new challenges come into play. ), Saint Frances of Rome, help us to see the difference between what we want to do and what God wants us to do. Her family was right, though -- she was an excellent administrator and a fair and pleasant employer. And, okay, full disclosure, Im a Benedictine Oblate so her feast day is a pretty big deal to us Oblates and those in the Benedictine family. 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. She is co-patroness of all Benedictine Oblates along with St. Henry. Lord, help me to live this day, quietly, easily. For a time she too was stricken by the plague, but after she was suddenly cured she at once resumed her works of charity. The very strong-willed St. Frances of Rome dreamed of devoting herself to the Lord as a nun from the time she was 11 years old. Liturgical Color: White (Purple if Lenten Weekday) A married woman must, when called upon, leave her devotions to God at the altar to find him in her household affairs. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you. Maybe I could have been a saint, we think, if I hadnt married him or had so many children or gotten in that car accident or had an abortion or dropped out of college or become so bitter. But whatever brought them about, its by those circumstancesthose crossesthat God is sanctifying us. The verbiage, "I could destroy you with one interview." Saint of the Day for Saturday, March 4th, 2023, First Station: Jesus is condemned to death. One day Vannozza found Frances crying and asked what was wrong. She was thrust even more deeply into society and worldly duties. Thank you. Living at the Ponziani palace with St Frances of Rome was Vanozza, the wife of her oldest brother. 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. The beginning of the fifteenth century brought the birth of her first son, Battista, after John the Baptist. Keep us faithful in your service, and help us to see and follow you. From her mother she inherited a quiet manner and a pious devotion to God. 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. But her parents objected and a young nobleman was selected to be her husband. Yet with all this, its for her simple devotion as wife and mother that she is remembered. Finally, Frances took a risk and confided in her sister-in-law Vannozza, who seemed to like being social. Our Lord Jesus asked her to go into Purgatory to feel the pain of the poor souls there. "Preach the Gospel at all times. Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. She turned the spicket on the empty cask and wine began to flow - the best wine any of them had ever tasted. It was at San Francesco a Ripa that Frances Ponziani was received into the Third Order of St Francis; and one of the priests there, Father Bartholomew Bondi, became her spiritual director. She also lived in this house following the death of her husband. When Frances poured out her heart to Vannozza and it turned out that this sister-in-law had wanted to live a life devoted to the Lord too. She was a Third Order Benedictine, founded an order of Oblates, and for decades saw her guardian angel with her at all times. (Source: The Counsels of the Holy Father St. Francis), It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching. St. Frances of Rome is a Catholic Parish in the Diocese of San Bernardino, located in Wildomar, CA. St Frances asked her family to have faith, and walked to the cellar with them. But her heart was not in the marriage, and she still longed to be a bride of Christ. 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. Where there is darkness, light; Where there is Love and Wisdom, there is neither Fear nor Ignorance. Rectory: 1428 S 59th Ct., Cicero. But though her son came back a charming young man her husband returned broken in mind and body. The life of St. Frances is an encouraging one. This friend, like Frances' Vannozza, may be near you already. Author: Scott Westerfeld. O Divine Master, Top St Frances Of Rome Quotes Since when do you and I talk about the world," she said. 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. The family flourished under Frances care, but within a few years a great plague began to sweep across Italy. From an early age, Frances felt drawn to the religious life, but at the age of thirteen her parents forced her into marriage.. Grant that I may not so much seek Dating culture crisis fuels Catholic marriage . . She looked around, cleared out the wreckage of the house and turned it into a makeshift hospital and a shelter for the homeless. Her mother-in-law still expected her to entertain and go on visits with her. 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. The only thing ever achieved in life without effort is failure. 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. Click the link below! John Baptist, the oldest son, was taken hostage, and did not return until peace was restored. Frances probably felt that's what he was doing by forcing her to marry. That day, they determined that together they would live for Christ alone. But the troubles were not over. "What can an airship do to a pair of ironclads? If Catholic Online has given you $5.00 worth of knowledge this year, take a minute to donate. Copyright 2023 Catholic Exchange. In the dishes, in the checking of our inboxes, in the conference calls, in the laundry, in the meetings, in the diaper changeshe is there. ""Not only do you know, you've helped me to know. From that time, St Frances of Rome began to be conscious of the presence and assistance of her guardian angel. Where there is the Fear of God to guard the dwelling, there no enemy can enter. Her family flourished under her care. Once the society was established, Frances chose not to live at the community residence, but rather at home with her husband. Is that too much to ask? I often wondered. But a household as large as the Ponziani's needed someone to run it. As she and Battista walked the streets, crowds of people tried to block her way or grab Battista from her to save him. You get one life. St. Alexis told St. Frances her choice: to do Gods will and recover or to die. Finally the governor gave in to God's wishes. (Source), Pure holy simplicity confounds all the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of the flesh. During the forty years or their married life they never had a disagreement. The archangel's light was visible to her so that she could read by it. Intrigued? From an early age, she had a strong love for God. Frances was born in Rome to a noble family in 1384 and died in March 1440. 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. You may be surprised at their reaction. St. Frances had three children: two sons and a daughter. To be loved, as to love. After two more children were born to her -- a boy, Giovanni Evangelista, and a girl, Agnes -- a flood brought disease and famine to Rome. Her parents were, of high rank. She begged God to prevent the marriage from happening. She struggled with something that I struggle with on a daily basis: balancing prayer and work. God requires that we assist the animals, when they need our help. I continue to struggle with balancing prayer and the duties required of me as a wife and mom. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have receivedbut only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage. Frances was born in the city of Rome in 1384 to a wealthy, noble family. She lived in solidarity with the poor though her home was a castle. Shortly after his return, John Baptist married a flighty young lady, who took a strong dislike to St Frances. What God Gives Black Americans That The Country Does Not, Baylor, Louisiana State University and More Colleges Report Revivals Happening on Campus, Report: 3 Porn Sites Are Now More Popular Than Instagram, Wikipedia, Twitter and Netflix, If You Attended the Asbury Outpouring, You Might Have Measles, Why Asbury University Decided to End Revival Services This Week, GET OUR TOP 5 ARTICLES IN YOUR INBOX EACH WEEKDAY, Man Calls in Bomb Threat to Avoid Missing His Plane. Where there is hatred, let me sow love, 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. St Alexis then appeared to her and cured her. And that's alright. Lorenzo became even more devoted to her after this -- he was even a little in awe of her because of what she'd been through. God had had other plans for her in between. 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. Man, Oh Man, Catechism in a Year Podcast is Right Around the Corner. St. Alexis replied, "Then you will live to glorify His Name." Copyright 2023 Famous Quotes & Sayings. She would have preferred to become a nun, but obeyed her father and became an exemplary wife and the mother of three children. All Rights Reserved. What made it worse was that Frances was thrown into a very social life. Frances prayed that God would somehow prevent the marriage from happening. At seventeen, St Frances of Rome gave birth to her first son, John Baptist; and shortly afterwards her mother-in-law died. Nicole Abisinio, Author Insights: an Insider Look at Catholic Publishing. (and some new ones have been added since then!). However, thats not why I think you should learn more about her. St. Frances of Rome was a wife and mother. If we are living a holy life, we are going to long for God. Frances surely experienced moments like this. Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance. The Lord also gives me important work to do. Donate. They devoted themselves to God and served the poor. She was faithful to her duties but still managed multiple works of mercy, too. the holy Catholic knight If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. In 1433, after Lorenzo's death, St Frances of Rome and her companions founded a religious community of Oblates. An equ, I suspect if you took a poll of Council Bluf, I dont know what else to say, except maybe., **Inequality is not a problem or an issue. Instead of stopping to help them, she brushed the person aside, saying, I have to get to Mass! On the way home, the woman was in an accident and died. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. 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. The Los Angeles, CA native holds a B.A. From that point on, St. Frances (reluctantly) accepted her vocation and lived it out as perfectly as she could until her husbands death. We can look for God in our housekeeping, or in whatever our daily work may be. What Frances had written off as frivolity was just Vannozza's natural easy-going and joyful manner. (Source), No one is to be called an enemy, all are your benefactors, and no one does you harm. After his death, Frances' second son appeared to her and brought her an archangel to take the place of her guardian angel. And St. Frances of Rome can show us how. Everyone thought that sixteen-year-old Frances was best qualified to take her mother-in-law's place. He listened patiently to the 13-year-olds lamentations until she had finished, then remarked calmly, Are you crying because you want to do Gods will or because you want God to do your will?. This highly acclaimed book is There is a mistake in the text of this quote. He raved at the saint, telling her she was bringing privation upon them to feed strangers. Sisterhood is important. After her husbands death, Frances moved in with the Oblates of Mary and became the superior. ""Yeah, I know. Again Frances tried to embrace her cross and again it proved to heavy for her. At her worst, she had a vision of St. Alexis. From her mother she inherited a quiet manner and a pious devotion to God. Saint Francis (of Assisi) (1964). We chose the wrong vocation or the wrong spouse or made one bad choice that ruined our lives. Writings, Francis of Assisi (2017). At this point, her house in ruins, her husband gone, one son dead, one son a hostage, she could have given up.
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