St. Frances of Rome was born into a noble Roman family in 1384. At an early age, Frances wanted to enter religious life and become a nun, but her father wanted her to get married. She stubbornly prayed to God to prevent the marriage until her confessor asked, "Are you crying because you want to do God's will or because you want God to do your will?" At age 12, she married Lorenzo, a pious and virtuous nobleman of Rome. Blessed with six children, their 40 years of marriage were happy, never once marred by a quarrel. She had the gift of absorbing prayer and detachment from earthly things.
Francis' example of personal sanctity and moderated penances, her zeal for souls and charity towards the poor, drew numerous Roman noblewomen away from a life of idle luxury. On 15 August 1425, the feast of the Assumption, she founded the Olivetan Oblates of Mary, a confraternity of pious women. In March 1433, she established a convent for communal living with the members of the group at Tor de' Specchi. This remains the sole residence of the Order. On 4 July of that same year, they received the approval of Pope Eugene IV as a religious congregation of nuns.
Frances could read consciences and discern diabolical plots; she was favored with frequent ecstasies and the gifts of prophecy and healing. God granted her the constant bodily vision of her guardian angel. After Lorenzo's death, Frances moved into the house with the other Oblates. It took decades, but her childhood dream of being a religious nun was finally fulfilled. She died there four years later, on 9 March 1440. She was canonized on 29 May 1608 by Pope Paul V. In 1925, Pope Pius XI declared her the patron saint of drivers because of a legend that an angel used to light the road in front of her with a lantern when she travelled, keeping her safe from hazards.
St. Frances of Rome, obtain for us the perseverance in serving Christ and follow Him in every circumstance of life.
Prepared and updated by:
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.
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