Saint Frances of Rome

Frances’ life combines both secular and religious life. A devoted and loving wife, she longed for a lifestyle of prayer and service, so she organized a group of women to minister to the needs of Rome’s poor. She was given permission to found a society of women bound by no vows. They offered themselves to God and to the service of the poor. Once the society was established, Frances chose not to live at the community residence, but rather at home with her husband. She did this for seven years, until her husband passed away, and then came to live the remainder of her life with the society—serving the poorest of the poor. Saint Frances is the patron saint of motorists and widows. Saint Frances, pray for us.