Walking with the Saints Podcast | Feast of St. Frances of Rome, Patron of the motorists and widows l March 9
Our saint for today is the patron of motorists and widows. She is known as St. Frances of Rome, born in the Eternal city in 1384 to a wealthy and aristocratic family. When she was eleven years old, she wanted to become a nun but her family objected. Instead, the following year, age twelve, she was given in marriage to a commander of the papal troops in Rome, who was coming from an extremely wealthy family. Her marriage was a happy one and lasted for forty years. Frances was a model wife. Her husband revered and adored her, her servants admired and obeyed her and her children loved her. She performed her role as wife and mother with great love and fidelity. Added to this, she was very generous and kind to the poor around her. Although she had many servants, she did not entrust to them the work for the poor. She herself made contacts with them, visiting their homes and bringing them what they needed.
After the death of Frances’ mother-in-law, she became the mistress of the household. Frances’ husband favored her charitable works and allowed her to walk the streets of Rome to meet the poor. But her father-in-law feared that there would not be enough provisions for the family since Frances was distributing them to the needy. So, one day he took the keys of the supply room from Frances, but soon he gave them back when he discovered that after the prayer of Frances, the supplies had been replenished. Under Frances’ care, the family was happy and peaceful. But after a few years a great plague swept across Italy. It struck Rome and its inhabitants, and the second son of Frances died. The suffering was so great. Many were hungry and sick. To alleviate the situation, Frances sold her possessions and gave whatever the sick might need. Frances’ sister-in-law shared her holy dispositions towards the poor so when all resources had been exhausted, the two of them went begging from door to door. A bit later, Frances opened a part of her house as a hospital. She also drove her wagon to gather woods for fire and herbs for medicine. Many sick died and unfortunately, Frances’ daughter also died.
It is recorded in the Catholic Encyclopedia that with the consent of her husband, the couple practiced continence in the later part of their life. She was admirably humble, obedient, patient and detached from the things of the world. Fortunately, Frances had more time for prayer and advanced contemplation. She had the gift of miracles and ecstasy, and a bodily vision of her guardian angel, had revelations concerning Purgatory and Hell and foretold the end of the Schism in Rome. She could read consciences and detect diabolical plots. In order to help those who could not follow the vowed life in community, but are eager to answer the needs of society, she founded the Olivetan Oblates of Mary, a confraternity of pious women, under the guidance of the Olivetan monks of the Abbey of Santa Maria Nova in Rome. In 1433, she established a monastery to allow common life for such members but it remained the only house of the Institute. It was approved as a religious congregation with private vows by Pope Eugen IV. It became known as the Oblates of St. Frances of Rome. Frances herself remained at home nursing her husband for the last seven years of his life from wounds he received in battle. After his death, Frances transferred into the monastery and became its superior. Frances died on March 9, 1440, was canonized in 1608 by Pope Paul V. In 1925, Pope Pius XI declared her patron saint of automobile drivers because of story that an angel used to light the road before her with a lantern whenever she travelled. Within the Benedictine Order, she is honored as patron saint of all oblates. She is also patron saint of all widows. Santa Maria Nova is now called the Church of St. France.
