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Also known as: Franziske
Profile
An aristocrat by birth, her parents were Paul Bussa and Jacobella de'
Roffredeschi. Married at age 12 to Lorenzo de' Ponziani, her marriage
lasted 40 years. Mother of three in 1400, 1404, and 1407. Widow.
Benedictine. Foundress of the Oblates of the Tor de' Specchi (Collatines).
Said to have been guided by an archangel only she could see. Spent her
life and fortune, both as laywoman and religious, in the service of the
sick and the poor, including the founding of the first home in Rome for
abandoned children. Dictated 97 Visions, in which she saw many of the
pains of Hell.
On her feast day priests bless cars due to her patronage of cars and
drivers. Frances certainly never drove, but legend says that when she went
abroad at night, her guardian angel went before her lighting the road with
a headlight-like lantern, keeping her safe in her travels.
Born
1384 in Rome, Italy
Died
1440 in Rome, Italy; relics at Saint Frances of Rome Church, Rome, Italy;
entombed beneath the pavement of the Ponziani sacristy of the Church of
Saint Cecilia, Rome, Italy
Canonized
29 May 1608 by Pope Paul V
Patronage
automobile drivers, automobilists, cab drivers, death of children, lay
people, motorists, people ridiculed for their piety, Roman housewives,
taxi drivers, widows
Representation
woman habited in black with a white veil, accompanied by her guardian
angel, and sometimes carrying a basket of food; nun with her guardian
angel dressed as a deacon; nun with a monstrance and arrow; nun with a
book; nun with an angel with a branch of oranges near her; receiving the
veil from the Christ Child in the arms of the Blessed Virgin
Readings
God not only tested the patience of Frances with respect to her material
wealth, but he also tested her especially through long and serious
illnesses which she had to undergo. And yet no one ever observed in her a
tendency toward impatience. She never exhibited any displeasure when she
complied with an order, no matter how foolish.
With peace of soul, she always reconciled herself to the will of God, and
gave him thanks for all that happened.
God had not chosen her to be holy merely for her own advantage. Rather the
gifts he conferred upon her were to be for the spiritual and physical
advantage of her neighbor. For this reason he made her so lovable that
anyone with whom she spoke would immediately feel captivated by love for
her and ready to help her in everything she wanted. She seemed able to
subdue the passions of every type of person with a single word and lead
them to do whatever she asked.
For this reason people flocked to Frances from all directions, as to a
safe refuge. No one left her without being consoled, although she openly
rebuked them for their sins and fearlessly reproved them for what was evil
and displeasing to God.
Many different diseases were rampant in Rome. Fatal diseases and plagues
were everywhere, but the saint ignored the risk of contagion and displayed
the deepest kindness toward the poor and the needy. Her empathy would
first bring them to atone for their sins. Then she would help them by her
eager care, and urge them lovingly to accept their trials, however,
difficult, from the hand of God. She would encourage them to endure their
sufferings for love of Christ, since he had previously endured so much for
them.
For thirty years Frances continued this service to the sick and the
stranger. During epidemics like this it was not only difficult to find
doctors to care for the body but even priests to provide remedies for the
soul. She herself would seek them out and bring them to those who were
disposed to receive the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist.
from the Life of Saint Frances of Rome by a contemporary
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintf10.htm
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