Saints+Notes+VL

St. Frances of Rome

Feast day: March 9 1384- 1440


 * born to a wealthy noble family
 * very pious and devoted to god
 * at eleven decided she wanted to be a nun; said it was her calling
 * her father said no and instead made a promise to marry her to a man
 * Frances prayed against the marriage, but reluctantly complied to it
 * Lorenzo Ponziani was to be her husband
 * he was wealthy, noble, and kind and he really cared for Frances
 * because of this, people didnt understand her objection
 * when she was thirteen, she was forced into the marriage
 * mother-in-law cecelia expected Frances to enjoy the parties and social life
 * for months she collapsed with illness because of the strain
 * in a vision, St. Alexis asked her if she wanted to recover or not.
 * she said, "gods will is mine"
 * she recovered immediately and Lorenzo was in awe and admired her even more
 * first born- son, Battista, after John the Baptist
 * mother-in-law died
 * Frances took her place
 * she had two more kids- a boy, Giovanni Evangelista, and a girl, Agnes
 * flood brought famine
 * Frances and Vanozza gave food and supplies to poor. dad got mad
 * Frances went to empty corn barrel and for food to give
 * when she left it filled, along with the wine casket
 * converted Lorenzo and dad
 * civil war came
 * Frances had to give up battista but got him back after praying
 * plague killed Evangelista
 * Battista hostage
 * husband missing
 * turned wreckage of house into poor hospital
 * agnes died
 * evangelista becomes guardian angel
 * husband and battista come back
 * made nun thing

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