Frances of Rome facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintFrances of Rome Obl.S.B. |
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Part of a series The Life of St. Frances of Rome
Tor de' Specchi Monastery, Rome, Italy by Antoniazzo Romano (1468) |
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| Patroness of Benedictine Oblates | |
| Born | Francesca Bussa de' Leoni 1384 Rome, Papal States |
| Died | March 9, 1440 (aged 55–56) Rome, Papal States |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Canonized | 1608, Rome, Papal States by Pope Paul V |
| Major shrine | Church of Santa Francesca Romana, Rome, Italy |
| Feast | March 9 |
| Patronage | Benedictine oblates, automobile drivers, widows |
Frances of Rome (born Francesca Bussa de' Leoni, 1384 – March 9, 1440) was an Italian woman known for her kindness and faith. She was a mystic and helped many people in need. Frances started a special group of women called Benedictine Oblates. They lived a shared life focused on prayer and helping others, but without taking formal vows like nuns. She became a saint in 1608.
Contents
The Life of Saint Frances
Early Life and Marriage
Francesca Bussa de' Leoni was born in 1384 in Rome. Her parents, Paolo Bussa and Iacobella dei Roffredeschi, were very wealthy. When she was eleven, Frances wanted to become a nun. However, her parents arranged for her to marry Lorenzo Ponziani. He was a commander of the pope's army in Rome. Their marriage, which lasted 40 years, was a happy one.
Helping Others in Rome
Frances and her sister-in-law, Vannozza, often visited poor people. They also cared for the sick. Soon, other wealthy women in Rome were inspired to help too. Frances herself became very ill once. She said that Saint Alexis appeared to her and made her well again.
When her mother-in-law passed away, Frances took charge of the household. During a time of great hunger and floods, she turned part of her family's country home into a hospital. She gave food and clothes to those who needed them. One story says her father-in-law was angry and took away her keys to the supply rooms. But he gave them back when he saw that the food and wine were refilled after Frances prayed.
Challenges and Miracles
Rome faced many wars during Frances's life. The city was often in ruins. Lorenzo, Frances's husband, fought for the pope. Once, their son Battista was to be taken as a hostage. Frances took her son to the Campidoglio (a famous hill in Rome). On the way, she stopped at a church and prayed to the Blessed Mother for her son's safety. When they arrived, soldiers tried to put Battista on a horse. But the horse would not move, even with much whipping. The soldiers believed this was a miracle from God. They returned the boy to his mother.
Lorenzo was badly hurt in battle and never fully recovered. Frances cared for him for the rest of his life. She also experienced great sadness, losing two children to a terrible disease called the plague. Despite these hardships, Frances continued to help her community. She opened her home as a hospital again. She drove her wagon through the countryside to gather wood and herbs for medicine. People said she had the gift of healing. Over 60 cases of her healing others were recorded during the process to make her a saint.
Spiritual Life and Visions
Frances lived a very spiritual life. She had many visions, which sometimes seemed like plays performed for her by heavenly beings. She was known for her humility and patience. She also had the gift of miracles and could sometimes see her guardian angel. She even had visions about Purgatory and Hell. Frances was also able to know secrets in people's hearts and predict the end of the Western Schism, a split in the Catholic Church.
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Founding a Community
On August 15, 1425, Frances founded a group called the Olivetan Oblates of Mary. This was a group of religious women. They were connected to the Olivetan monks in Rome. However, they did not live in a cloister (a closed monastery) or take formal vows. This allowed them to combine prayer with helping their community.
In March 1433, Frances founded a monastery at Tor de' Specchi. This was for members of her group who wanted to live a common life together. This monastery is still active today. In July of that year, Pope Eugene IV approved her community. It later became known as the Oblates of St. Frances of Rome.
Frances stayed at home to nurse her husband for his last seven years. After he died in 1436, she moved into the monastery. She became the leader of the community. Frances died in 1440 and was buried in the Church of Santa Maria Nova.
Becoming a Saint
Canonization and Relics
On May 9, 1608, Pope Paul V declared Frances a saint. This process is called canonization. After her death, her body was found to be incorrupt, meaning it had not decayed. Her grave was found on April 2, 1638. Her remains were moved to the Church of Santa Maria Nova on March 9, 1649. This day is now her feast day. In 1869, her body was again moved. Since then, her bones have been displayed in a glass coffin for people to see and honor. The Church of Santa Maria Nova is now often called the Church of St. Frances.
Patronage
In 1925, Pope Pius XI named Saint Frances the patron saint of automobile drivers. This is because of a legend that an angel used to light the road for her with a lantern when she traveled. This kept her safe. Within the Benedictine Order, she is honored as a patron saint of all oblates. She is also a patron saint of widows.
See also
- Oblates of St. Frances of Rome
- Tor de' Specchi Monastery
- Order of St. Benedict
- Olivetans
Images for kids
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Saint Frances of Rome and the miracle of the grain
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Frances of Rome accompanied by her guardian angel
