MEMORIAL: MARCH 9
St. Frances was born in the 14th century in Rome, Italy. The daughter of a wealthy man, Frances desired to become a religious sister. However, her father married her off to the son of a wealthy nobleman. Frances struggled with this, but eventually accepted it as God’s will. She found companionship in Christ with her sister-in-law who also wanted to live a devout life.
During her marriage, Frances was concerned with humility and giving to the poor. She experienced much ridicule from her family and in-laws, yet she always gave away what she could. During times of war and famine, Frances thought only of peace and the poor. She suffered the loss of two of her three children, yet cared for the wounded and famished in her own home. Frances started the order Oblates of Mary which are connected to the Benedictine Order. When her husband passed away, she was able to join the order. She was the superior of the order for four years until her death at the age of 56.
