FEAST OF ST. FRANCESCA!!!!!!!

Today, March 9th, is the feast of my most dear saint (outside of Mary) in the whole Communion. We have a long, dear history together that I'll relate sometime soon. She was born in 1384 and was a wife and mystic. She founded an order and lived as a religious the last few years of her life (after her husband's death.)

I wrote a poem for her yesterday as a tribute to her- and introduction to you. But first- her is a wonderful little excerpt on here from a contemporary of hers:

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God not only tested the patience of Frances with respect to her material wealth, but he also tested her especially through long and serious illnesses which she had to undergo. And yet no one ever observed in her a tendency toward impatience. She never exhibited any displeasure when she complied with an order, no matter how foolish. With peace of soul, she always reconciled herself to the will of God, and gave him thanks for all that happened. God had not chosen her to be holy merely for her own advantage. Rather the gifts he conferred upon her were to be for the spiritual and physical advantage of her neighbor. For this reason he made her so lovable that anyone with whom she spoke would immediately feel captivated by love for her and ready to help her in everything she wanted. She seemed able to subdue the passions of every type of person with a single word and lead them to do whatever she asked. For this reason people flocked to Frances from all directions, as to a safe refuge. No one left her without being consoled, although she openly rebuked them for their sins and fearlessly reproved them for what was evil and displeasing to God. Many different diseases were rampant in Rome. Fatal diseases and plagues were everywhere, but the saint ignored the risk of contagion and displayed the deepest kindness toward the poor and the needy. Her empathy would first bring them to atone for their sins. Then she would help them by her eager care, and urge them lovingly to accept their trials, however, difficult, from the hand of God. She would encourage them to endure their sufferings for love of Christ, since he had previously endured so much for them. For thirty years Frances continued this service to the sick and the stranger. During epidemics like this it was not only difficult to find doctors to care for the body but even priests to provide remedies for the soul. She herself would seek them out and bring them to those who were disposed to receive the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist.

-from the Life of Saint Frances of Rome by a contemporary

AND NOW MY POEM! I wrote it before I found the above excerpt- and it seems to me that the Frances I know and write of is the same Frances her contemporary encountered. This poem is meant to be read slowly and tenderly- don't rush along the words; drink them in with patient relish:

Francesca

She walks softly along the wooded path,

shining beautiful by the lantern's light in her

gown of deepest green.

The radiance of her love falls upon all as she passes-

thawing the grip of the cold winter's night

with the fires of the first Sun of Spring.

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Her brown eyes flicker and dance in the light

as living incarnations of her soul.

The eyes of a mother, the eyes of a wife,

the eyes that have suffered, the eyes that have cried;

the eyes of one that to conquering Love did fall-

and thus the eyes that were able to conquer all.

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Long brown hair flecked with Golden light-

curls and tumbles in a cascade

upon her shoulders.

Hinting at the richer treasures of her soul-

priceless pearls and precious jewels

brought there by the Fount of Living Waters.

**********

Transformed in the Beauty of Divinity,

she attracts all with a brilliance that

is hers by gift.

God reigns in her to be adored by all as

she brings Him as a Benediction to

each poor face she uplifts.

**********

Her charms inspire virtue,

her care brings healing and strength,

her friendship is a priceless gift out of God's Tenderness.

Her smile captures hearts for all eternity,

and her laughter is as deep as the ocean

and bubbles forth like the merriest brook;

flowing into those who hear it-filling them with Goodness.

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"Follow me" she calls to those in her care;

"Follow me to Him who made me so Fair."