St. Frances of Rome

St. Frances of Rome united marriage, motherhood, service to the poor, and contemplative prayer before founding a community of Benedictine oblates.

The story

Francesca Bussa was born into a noble Roman family in 1384. She desired religious life while still young, but her parents arranged her marriage to Lorenzo Ponziani. She entered the marriage obediently and built a household marked by prayer and charity. The couple had three children. Frances and her sister-in-law Vannozza regularly visited hospitals and gave food, clothing, and medicine to people in need.

Rome suffered severely during the Western Schism and the wars surrounding it. The Ponziani household was plundered, Lorenzo was forced away for a time, and one of their sons was taken as a hostage. An outbreak of disease also struck the city, and two of Frances's children died while still young. Frances turned part of her home into a place of care for the sick and poor. She herself became ill but recovered and resumed her service.

Frances combined charitable work with an intense life of prayer. Her confessor recorded accounts of visions, spiritual trials, and a special awareness of her guardian angel. Such experiences belong to the Church's category of private revelation and do not add to the deposit of faith. Her well-attested public work consisted of serving Rome's suffering people and gathering other women for prayer and charity.

In 1425 Frances organized a group of women as oblates connected with the Benedictine congregation of Monte Oliveto. They remained in their homes at first. In 1433 some began common life at Tor de' Specchi near the Roman Forum, without the full enclosure customary in many women's monasteries. After Lorenzo died in 1436, Frances joined the community and served as its superior. She died in Rome on March 9, 1440, and was buried in the church now called Santa Francesca Romana. Pope Paul V canonized her in 1608. Pope Pius XI declared her a patron of motorists in 1925, drawing upon the traditional image of her guardian angel lighting her path. Her optional memorial is observed on March 9.

What Frances teaches

St. Frances shows that holiness can grow through marriage, parenthood, widowhood, charity, and consecrated service. Her life illustrates the universal call to holiness taught in CCC 2013 and the command to persevere in prayer and service in Romans 12:12-13.

Patronage

Rome, motorists, widows, Benedictine oblates.

Prayer

God of every vocation, you led St. Frances of Rome through family joys, public turmoil, grief, and religious service. Through her intercession, keep families faithful, protect travelers, and teach us to recognize Christ in the poor. Amen.