More information St. Frances of Rome More like this You are signed out Sign in to get the best experience Continue with email Continue with Facebook By continuing, you agree to Pinterest's Terms of Service Her husband was a good man who cared about her very much. In fact, I think it is safe to say that most moms struggle with a lack of their own time to do their own things, including prayer. She struggled with something that I struggle with on a daily basis: balancing prayer and work. 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. Raise your hand if youve ever felt like God was calling you They overruled her desire to become a nun, and at twelve years of age married her to Rorenzo Ponziano, a Roman noble. They are emotions that come and go. And her life story has taught me a lot: Lord, I long to spend time with You in prayer. From her father, however, she inherited a strong will. Frances was born into an aristocratic family in the Eternal City of Rome near the famed Piazza Navona. Rome was invaded in 1410; and during the civil war which followed, a series of calamities befell the Ponziani family. Returning to this convent after a visit to her sick son, St Frances suddenly became ill and was taken back to the Ponziani palace. | Privacy Policy Where there is Love and Wisdom, there is neither Fear nor Ignorance. On the Feast of St. Frances of Rome #BISblog //Click to tweet God wants us to help animals, if they need help. 2016. Amen. And that's where her will ran right up against her father's. Sign up to get our top five trending stories delivered every weekday! This was especially difficult when I was a new mom with young children. She turned the spicket on the empty cask and wine began to flow - the best wine any of them had ever tasted. John Bosco, My career goals generally remain the same, but my short time goals constantly change either because I've reached them all or they no longer fit into my current strategy. If we are living a holy life, we are going to long for God. So they are of great merit when they are borne patiently." St. Francis of Assisi, The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi tags: endurance , patience , suffering 59 likes Like However, at 12yrs, she was forced by her family into an arranged marriage to a wealthy commander of papal troops, Lorenzo Ponziani. The hardest words she could have said -- but the right words to set her on the road to sanctity. More to explorer Saint of the Day Quote: Saint Eudocia Is that too much to ask? I often wondered. Click the link below! There was nothing she could do about it. So the two, Frances and Vannozza, set out togetherwith their husbands blessingsto help the poor. We chose the wrong vocation or the wrong spouse or made one bad choice that ruined our lives. At least not as far as we know. Lord, When Did We See You Hungry or Thirsty or a Stranger or Naked or Ill or in Prison? Silence. Her tomb is beneath the high altar in the crypt of the Roman church which is now called Santa Francesca Romana in her honor. 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?. Sign up for our Premium service. ""Not only do you know, you've helped me to know. Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. 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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 decided at eleven that she knew what God wanted for her -- she was going to be a nun. After giving him up, Frances ran to a church to weep and pray. Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance. as an ebook download. The only thing ever achieved in life without effort is failure. Where there is the Fear of God to guard the dwelling, there no enemy can enter. A married woman must, when called upon, quit her devotions to God at the altar to find Him in her household affairs. St. Frances of Rome is one of them. When necessary, use words." This is, perhaps, the best known and most commonly quoted statement made by St. Francis of Assisi. inspirational to young men I dont know about you but that seems like a pretty legit reason to invoke her intercession when driving under dangerous conditions. Finally the wars were over and Battista and her husband returned home. May our resources renew your spirit as we share God's love in the spirit of St. Francis. He described his papal name as pointing to what he wants to emulate in Saint Francis of Assisi: to have a poor church, for the poor, always going out to the margins, and to show concern for the natural environment. 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. (Source: The Counsels of the Holy Father St. Francis), A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows. God just had other plans for her in between. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. There they worked and prayed for the Holy Father and the peace of Rome, for the city was once more in turmoil. We see the world in a different light than the rest do, and sometimes, we're misunderstood because of it. ""My guess is, we'll stay absolutely still for an hour. Francis of Assisi's Prayers, p.72, Paper & Ink. Design byPerceptions Design Studio. Still, some of us are so caught up in our penances and what we gave up that we often overlooked these amazing saints. 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. Her story is an amazing one and some of the obstacles she faced are still relevant to us today. Same boat, friend. A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows. Thank you. (Source: The Counsels of the Holy Father St. Francis) On Living a Life of Ministry (Source), We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh, but, instead, we must be simple, humble and pure. Please helpus continue to bring high quality books to our readers at the lowest possible price! The verbiage, "I could destroy you with one interview." Every weekday, get RELEVANT's top five articles delivered to your inbox! Her words gave me a tremendous amount of hope. entertain, and live a worldly life that didnt appeal to her. One of the most difficult parts of my transition to married life and motherhood was no longer being able to drop everything to go pray in a church. 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. What made it worse was that Frances was thrown into a very social life. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist. They became close friends and worked out a program of devout practices and services to work together. 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. 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. Sarah Damm is a regular contributor to the BIS blog. 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. The world is a great stage on which God displays his many wonders. The Origin of the Peace Prayer of St. Francis, www.franciscan-archive.org. Her father, however, had different plans for her. FREE shipping Add to Favorites Saint Frances of Rome Catholic Handmade Pendant Necklace . Troja sent word that Lorenzo's brother would be executed unless he had Battista, Frances's son and heir of the family, as a hostage. Shortly after his return, John Baptist married a flighty young lady, who took a strong dislike to St Frances. You may be surprised at their reaction. Saint of the Day Quote: Saint Frances of Rome Donald R. McClarey March 9, 2021 I feel as if my whole life has been one beautiful dream of purest happiness. The son of a noble family, Alexis had run away to beg rather than marry. She also lived in this house following the death of her husband. 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. After two more children were born to her -- a boy, Giovanni Evangelista, and a girl, Agnes -- a flood brought disease and famine to Rome. She always worked with the poor in Rome. But just as he wouldn't listen to her, Frances wouldn't listen to him. What Everyone is REALLY Thinking in the Cry Room, Laugh Your Way to Holiness with Catholic Card Game. The amazing life story of the Recent Articles. In 1433, after Lorenzo's death, St Frances of Rome and her companions founded a religious community of Oblates. She was thrust even more deeply into society and worldly duties. You have no enemy except yourselves. The poor child was terribly colicky, and I couldnt get her to stop crying. I also know that you have given me work to do in this world. Writing under the pen name "Melissa Cecilia," she is the author of the Will and Lina series. ~Famous quote of Saint Frances. She received her BA and MA in theology from the University of Notre Dame (09 and 11). She gave in to the marriage -- reluctantly. 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. Each being (human or creature) has the same right of protection. Today the Church honors St. Frances of Rome, an Italian married woman who lived an exemplary life as a wife and mother during difficult times of plague and war. Frances shows us that this life need not be restricted to those bound by vows. dreamed of devoting herself to the Lord as a nun from the time she was 11 years During the plague, she worked tirelessly to save those whom she could, and bury those who died. 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. 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. Every day we present the best quotes! That must be the definition of 'human being': Misunderstood. Finally, Frances took a risk and confided in her sister-in-law Vannozza, who seemed to like being social. But though her son came back a charming young man her husband returned broken in mind and body. Read all of Sarah's posts here. Eventually they bought a house where the widowed members could live in community. She would always been able to see him. you have given us a unique example. When that didn't work Cecilia then appealed to her sons, but Lorenzo refused to interfere with Frances' charity. Today that would describe the, Incredible post Guy. Saint Frances of Rome had a great love for and devotion to the Poor Souls in Purgatory. Available for only $2.99 US 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. 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. His actions would lay the foundations of a Kingdom for Christ that would eventually reach around the world and spread the Catholic faith to millions of souls. Amen. joy, and simplicity. Want to see fewer ads on Aleteia? This weekend marked the death of Giovanni de Bernardino in 1226, the wealthy heir to a silk merchant who would go on to dedicate his life to God. God has given me so much in your love. Frances began a lay order of women who attached to the Benedictine. God has given me so much in your love." Where there is Love and Wisdom, there is neither Fear nor Ignorance. 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. Intrigued? Frances chose to embrace her cross and soon found herself married (at 13) to a kind and wealthy nobleman. Man, Oh Man, Catechism in a Year Podcast is Right Around the Corner. 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. I feel as if my whole life has been one beautiful dream of purest happiness. On the street, she ran into her spiritual adviser Don Andrew who told her she was choosing the wrong way and ordered her to trust God. Even though my children are older now, new challenges come into play. Later, Frances daughter died, and the saint opened a section of her house as a hospital. Where there is Mercy and Prudence, there is neither Excess nor Harshness. Her mother-in-law still expected her to entertain and go on visits with her. Her family was right, though -- she was an excellent administrator and a fair and pleasant employer. With these acts of piety and charity to sustain her, Frances was finally able to be the socialiteand gladly this time. I have been all things unholy. When Frances heard this she grabbed Battista by the hand and fled. He raved at the saint, telling her she was bringing privation upon them to feed strangers. She surrendered her will to Gods, but she did so reluctantly. She was still expected to entertain and go visiting with her mother-in-law. Merciful Father, in Frances of Rome. She stubbornly prayed to God to prevent the marriage until her confessor pointed out, "Are you crying because you want to do God's will or because you want God to do your will?". She was a married woman who longed for a cloister. Cue the Ohh! chorus. 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. "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. Many of us feel that our lives have gone irreparably wrong. One of them sent a cruel governor, Count Troja, to conquer Rome. 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. 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. But the two spiritual friends went to mass together, visited prisons, served in hospitals and set up a secret chapel in an abandoned tower of their palace where they prayed together. After a vision, Bernardino (later St. Francis) gave away his fortune, committing his life to serving God and the poor. (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. 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Sisterhood is important. Once the society was established, Frances chose not to live at the community residence, but rather at home with her husband. It might surprise some to discover that he did not, in fact, say this. "Preach the Gospel at all times. Soon after her marriage, St Frances fell seriously ill. and it wasnt until I was a mother that I discovered St. Frances of Rome. (and some new ones have been added since then!). From her father, however, she inherited a strong will. Fasting and scourging were far easier than this torture God now asked her to face. Her father, however, had promised her hand in marriage to the son of 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. Frances gave orders that no one asking for alms would be turned away and she and Vannozza went out to the poor with corn, wine, oil and clothing. God requires that we assist the animals, when they need our help. At the age of 52, she had the life she wanted at age 11. "What can an airship do to a pair of ironclads? At the age of 52, she had the life she wanted at age 11. 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. Frances heroically devoted herself to the care of the sick, the starving, and the dying, and organized a group of Roman ladies to assist her in this work. Frances fell ill for a time, but this apparently only deepened her commitment to the suffering people she met. She was faithful to her duties but still managed multiple works of mercy, too. A devoted and loving wife, she longed for a lifestyle of prayer and service, so she organized a group of women to minister to the needs of Romes poor. Death seemed imminent. known as El Cid! Frances placed the household in her care and devoted herself henceforth entirely to works of charity in the city. St. Enjoy reading and share 6 famous quotes about St Frances Of Rome with everyone. Slowly she turned around and made her way to Capitol Hill where Count Troja was waiting. Her father, however, had promised her hand in marriage to the son of another wealthy family. Grant that we may discern your presence in all the circumstances of our lives, and follow you to the end of our days. The family flourished under Frances care, but within a few years a great plague began to sweep across Italy. 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. From that time, St Frances of Rome began to be conscious of the presence and assistance of her guardian angel. Just keep asking God to lead you. 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. Thats right! Saint of the Day for Saturday, March 4th, 2023, First Station: Jesus is condemned to death. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you. Unfortunately for her, her father was entirely unconcerned about her desireshe insisted that she marry. He told her that God was giving her a choice: to recover or not. Keep it up if you initially fought She was an uptown girl of noble birtha holy girl, wholly unimpressed by her position. All Rights Reserved. Finally, she whispered, "God's will is mine." in Biblical Theology from John Paul the Great Catholic University. Michele Chronister is a wife, and mother to three little girls and one little one in heaven. | About Us Where there is darkness, light; "The world is what it is." "Yeah, I know." "Not only do you know, you've helped me to know." "Good to be useful," I said. She begged God to prevent the marriage from happening. St. Frances of Rome was a wife and mother. Her father-in-law, furious that she was giving away their supplies during a famine, took the keys of the granary and wine cellar away from her. 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". Ask the beasts and they will teach you the beauty of this earth. By the time Frances was 13, he already promised her hand in marriage to the son of another wealthy family. Why couldn't Frances be more like Vannozza? Frances had six children, three of whom died in infancy and two of whom died of the plague as children. . Everyone thought that sixteen-year-old Frances was best qualified to take her mother-in-law's place. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Most memorably, I remember a time when I was at Mass with my daughters, not long after my second was born. 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. Writings, Francis of Assisi (2017). Everyone screamed at Frances. Most people donate because Catholic Online is useful. Return to Franciscan Calendar Page Return to Incorruptible Saints Page Return to Saints Page Return to Roman Catholic Saints Homepage. The challenge is, like Frances of Rome, to be open to finding God in the little and unexpected moments. Because whoever has joined forces with God obtains three great privileges: omnipotence without power, intoxication without wine, and life without death. The whole thing overwhelmed I loved going to daily Mass. St Alexis then appeared to her and cured her. Rectory: 1428 S 59th Ct., Cicero. age of 13. she devoted herself to ministry to the poor, but she found herself needing to care more for her own family once she had children. She had been right in discerning her original vocation -- she just had the timing wrong. But it wasn't fashionable for noblewomen to help the poor and people gossiped about two girls out alone on the streets. 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. He had already promised her in marriage to the son of another wealthy family. The verbiage hasn', "I could destroy you with one interview." She is patroness to many causes, including drivers (because her guardian angel used to light her way on night-time visits to the poor and sick .