Feast of Santa Francesca Romana

Santa Francesca Romana, ora pro nobis

March 9th is the Feast of St. Frances of Rome (Francesca de' Ponziani, née Bussa de' Leoni), wife, mother, widow, mystic, ecstatic, and foundress. Born in Rome in 1384 to a noble family, St. Frances was obliged by her father to marry at an early age. Distraught and ill because she had to give up her religious vocation, she was visited in a dream and healed through the intercession of St. Alexius of Rome. She had three children, Battista, Evangelista and Agnes.

A great benefactress of the poor and sick, she was renowned for her extraordinary acts of charity and holiness. In 1425 she founded the Olivetan Oblates of Mary, a monastic community under the Rule of St. Benedict committed to prayer and service to the needy. Despite her noble birth, she lived modestly and begged for alms for the poor. Derided by the patricians, the common people embraced her as one of their own and nicknamed her “the poor girl of Trastevere.”

As a widow (1436), she retired among her oblates at Tor di Specchi and was made superior. Foreseeing her own death, she died on March 9, 1440 at the age of fifty-six.

Co-patroness of Rome, with Saints Peter and Paul, she is invoked against plagues and for the liberation of the Souls in Purgatory. In 1950, Pope Pius XII declared her the patron saint of motorists because her guardian angel used to light her path whenever she traveled.

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Frances of Rome. The accompanying photo comes courtesy of Father Eugene Carrella. The polychrome wood sculpture is part of Father Carrella’s impressive collection of religious statuary and relics. Evviva Santa Francesca Romana!

Prayer to St. Frances of Rome

Merciful Father, in Frances of Rome you have given us a unique example of love in marriage as well as in religious life. Keep us faithful in your service, and help us to see and follow you in all the aspects of life. 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.