Saint Frances of Rome

Life story

Frances was born in 1384 in Rome, into the noble Bussa family. In 1396, at about twelve, she married Lorenzo Ponziani, a man of standing in the city. She lived in her husband's household, together with her sister-in-law's family, and managed a large establishment. Her marriage took place during a period when Rome, without its popes, who were then at Avignon and later divided by the schism, was often unstable and its noble families frequently at odds.

Her married life unfolded amid great turmoil. Rome suffered the divisions of the Western Schism, factional fighting, famine and epidemic. Some of her children died young of disease. Her husband was wounded, and the family's property was confiscated in the political conflicts of the day.

Frances used family resources to help the poor, visited the sick at the hospital of Santo Spirito, and cared for plague victims. In 1425 she founded an association of women who wished to live a consecrated life without lifelong vows, under the guidance of the Olivetan Benedictines. It was later housed at Tor de' Specchi near the Capitoline Hill and became known as the Oblates of Tor de' Specchi.

After her husband died in 1436, Frances moved into the community she had founded. She died on 9 March 1440. Pope Paul V canonised her in 1608. Her tomb is in the church of Santa Maria Nova, now called Santa Francesca Romana, in the Roman Forum, and her feast is kept on 9 March.

Works and witness

• Married Lorenzo Ponziani in 1396 and raised their children
• Served the sick and poor of Rome, including at the Santo Spirito hospital
• Founded the Benedictine oblate association in 1425, later at Tor de' Specchi
• Joined the community after her husband's death in 1436
• Died in 1440; canonised in 1608

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Martyrologium Romanum
• Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
• Acts of the canonisation process of Frances of Rome

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.