St. Frances of Rome, Founder and Mystic

Optional Memorial - March 9th 

St. Frances of Rome wanted to be a nun, but her wealthy parents forced her into an arranged marriage with a solider. Her husband Lorenzo Ponziani served as commander of the papal armies. They lived happily together for forty years even though Lorenzo was frequently at war. Frances and her sister-in-law often visited the poor and the sick of the Eternal City giving out food and caring for the ill.

Rome in the early 15th century was largely in ruins. Animals roamed the city freely and plague decimated the population. Two of Francis's and Lorenzo's children died from disease. Francis used her family’s wealth to establish a hospital. In 1425, on the feast of the Assumption of Mary, she founded the Oblates of Mary, an order of pious Christian women. The order was approved by Pope Eugene IV in 1433. Today it is known as the Oblates of St. Francis of Rome.

Francis was graced with heroic virtue and mystical visions. With her husband's blessing she practiced continence, amid a life of contemplation. "Her visions often assumed the form of drama enacted for her by heavenly personages. She had the gift of miracles and ecstasy, as well as the bodily vision of her guardian angel, had revelations concerning Purgatory and Hell, and foretold the ending of the Western Schism. She could read the secrets of consciences and detect plots of diabolical origin. She was remarkable for her humility..." (Catholic Encyclopedia)

Fr. Pius Parsch writes about one such mystical image: "After her husband died, she gave up all her wealth to live a life of abject poverty. Her special privilege from heaven was familiar conversation with her guardian angel. Reading the life of St. Frances, one gains the impression that she moved and lived in the spiritual world more than on earth; in fact, that which gives her life its unique character is her intimate relationship with the blessed world of holy spirits."

"During the three periods of her life, three angels of different rank accompanied her, ready to protect her soul against any onslaught of hell and to lead her step by step to spiritual perfection. Day and night the saint saw her angel busy at a mysterious task. With three little golden spindles he unceasingly spun golden threads, strung them around his neck, and diligently wound them into balls. A half year before her death he changed his work. Instead of spinning more golden thread, he began to weave three carpets of varying size with the golden thread he spun. The carpets symbolized her lifework as virgin, mother and religious."

"Shortly before her death, she noticed how the angel was hurrying his work, and his face was unusually fresh and happy. At the very moment when the last carpet had reached its required length, her soul departed into eternal bliss." O God, who have given us in St. Frances of Rome a singular model of married and monastic life, grant us perseverance in your service, that in every circumstance of life we may see and follow you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.