Frances of Rome, born into Italian nobility in the 15th century, challenged expectations early on. At eleven, she expressed a wish to join a convent, a plan diverging sharply from her parents’ intentions of marrying her into wealth. Despite her aspirations, Frances found herself wed at thirteen to a wealthy landowner, Lorenzo dei Ponziani, marking the beginning of a forty-year marriage grounded in devotion.

Rome during this era was far from its later celebrated self, grappling with internal conflicts, natural disasters, and widespread disease. It was against this tumultuous backdrop that Frances, alongside her sister-in-law Vannozza, extended support to those battered by disease and conflict. Her life, too, was marred by adversity: the invasion and pillaging of her home by Ladislaus of Naples in 1409, and the subsequent exile of her husband. Such events, while not rare for the period, posed significant personal trials.

Upon Lorenzo’s return in 1414, a shadow of his former self, Frances’s care was unwavering. Her charitable deeds during these trying times won her renown, drawing others to her cause of self-sacrifice and service. This led to the founding of the Benedictine Oblates of Monte Oliveto on August 15, 1425, a community blending familial and communal obligations, which received papal approval in 1433. The community’s constitution was sanctioned in 1436, the same year Frances, now a widow, joined the order she founded.

Frances’s life came to a close on March 9, 1440, after fifty-six years of relentless dedication to her fellow citizens and acts of charity. Despite personal losses, including the death of two children and witnessing her husband’s downfall, her commitment to helping others never wavered. Canonized on May 29, 1608, her legacy endures, with her tomb at Santa Francesca Romana a testament to her life’s work, and her community continuing its educational mission.

Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
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19 COMMENTS

  1. She is my patron saint….. I love her soooooooooooo much….. I am so proud of her…. I use her name for my signature

  2. This is an interesting read. However, her name spelling threw me off. I thought I was reading about St. Francis of Padua. Thank you.

  3. st frances Is my sisters patron saint.i’m sure she knew about st frances life. I didn’t, but how interesting. R.i.P. FRANNY!!

  4. St Frances of Rome thanks in advance for answered prayers ‘re healing and protection and detoxing and deliverance from substance abuse from grandson and that he is in the hands of Jesus and Mary today and always amen

  5. St. Frances Of Rome, please pray for us especially myself, my children and the rest of myself. Thank you St. Frances for great dedication to God Almighty. Amen!

  6. Merciful Father,
    in Frances if Rome
    you have given us
    a unique example of love in marriage
    as well as in religious life.
    Keep us faithful in your service,
    and help us to see and follow you
    in all the aspects of life.
    Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
    who lives and reigns with you
    in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
    one God, for ever and ever.
    Amen.

  7. Saint Frances of Rome, pray for us. I offer Shelby to you for guidance and protection. Let her experience a conversion of heart and mind and body and soul to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Bring her peace amidst her recent diagnosis of bi-polar disease, and replace all the fear with God’s infinite mercy, compassion, consolation and divine love. Let her be healed, if it be the will of God the Father Almighty. Help all those truly suffering from mental illness. Amen.

  8. Novena:
    In the Name + of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
    O almighty and eternal God, in Saint Frances of Rome You have given us a model of holiness, in married life and of monastic conversion. By Your hand-maid’s aid, may we know, love and serve You with all perseverance and fortitude, so that in all circumstances, we may fix our gaze upon You alone, follow Your Only-begotten Son,
    and faithfully carry our cross with gratitude.
    O glorious Saint Frances of Rome, by the abundant merits you gained by suffering for Christ and His Church, and through your powerful intercession, help us gain that knowledge which discerns the difference between our own malevolent will and the holy will of God. Help us gain the wisdom to abhor our own self-love and instead desire what God desires.
    Bright Jewel of the Order of Saint Benedict, illustrious Saint Frances of Rome, you who was led by divine Providence through various stations in life, that you might be a patron of every virtue, to maidens, to matrons and to widows, pray for us to our divine Saviour, that we may be detached from the vanities of the world and may be able, under the guiding hand of our Guardian Angel, to grow daily in the love of God,
    of His Church and of our neighbour, and finally to be made partakers in heaven of your felicity. Amen.
    In particular we ask of you Saint Frances, that by your selfless intercession… (Here mention the spiritual or temporal favor you desire…) we obtain this car (2019CC4drhatch) for my twins who need it quickly and safely to keep their jobs!!!
    Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
    Pray for us, O Saint Frances of Rome, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. O God, who amoung other gifts of Your grace did honor blessed Frances, Your hand-maid, with the familiar companionship of an angel, grant, we beseech You, that by the help of her intercession we may deserve to attain the company of angels. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
    In the Name + of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

    • In thanksgiving for this car provided for my sons in February and serving its purpose beautifully for their safety and travel needs. Saints Frances of Rome and Christopher, patrons of travel, pray for us. Guardian Angels of the highway and our home, shield us from the evil one. Amen.

  9. St Frances of Rome pray for us all and my daughter Frances in need of a job and protection. Amen
    I was baptized the date of Saint Frances of Rome. Leave it to God and his miracles plan are always perfect. Now I learn yesterday the name of my Saint. I will pray to her. Is Saint Frances as I was baptized 3/9!
    It’s funny but I didn’t know who was my Saint. I always wondered and I look under my birth day many times. But yesterday I learned is St Frances of Rome on the most important day of my life my baptism. 🤣😇😍 thank you Saint Frances Thank you Jesus. 😘🥰😇🕊️💝🙏🏼

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