Santa Francesca Romana

Catholic Online.

Frances of Rome, Obl.S.B., (Italian: Santa Francesca Romana) (1384 – March 9, 1440) is an Italian saint who was a wife, mother, mystic, organizer of charitable services and a Benedictine oblate who founded a religious community of oblates, who share a common life without religious vows.

Frances nursed Lorenzo until he died. His last words to her were, "I feel as if my whole life has been one beautiful dream of purest happiness. God has given me so much in your love."

Memorare to St. Frances

Remember O gracious St. Frances,
Never was it known that a poor person or a poor heart,
approached you and went away unaided.

You did not judge the rich in your pity for the poor,
but encouraged them, for the sake of their souls, for the sake of God,
to show mercy to those in need.

Whatever they did for the "least" they did for Jesus,
and in the "least" Jesus made Himself known to you and to them.

The poor loved you, the rich loved you, Jesus loved you,
for you were His face, His hands, His feet to all you met.

To you we come, before you we are, selfish, sinful and sorrowful.

Do not look upon our failures, but upon that tiny part of our hearts
that desires to be the person God created us to be.

Obtain for us, grace from the merciful heart of God,
that we may know Him, love Him, serve Him, as He desires us to.

We bring to you our prayers and needs,
for ourselves and for those in our hearts.

We ask your special intercession for those poor in body,
and also for those poor in soul, and those ignorant of God's merciful heart.

May God hear and answer our prayers for others
through your intercession, and according to His will,
and may our hearts be changed into mercy lived.

Amen.