(1384-1440) Born to Roman aristocracy, Francesca Bussa de’ Leoni was forced to get married at 12 years old. She had three children and lost two of them to the plague. Frances served the hungry and the poor with the family’s wealth, and at 41, she founded the Olivetan Oblates of Mary, a branch of the Benedictine order. Seven years later, she founded a monastery for the confraternity. After 40 years of marriage, Frances was widowed and became the superior of the monastery. She had an advanced contemplative life, revelations of Purgatory and Hell, and the gift of miracles. She could also read consciences and had bodily visions of her guardian angel.
Pope Pius XI declared Frances the patron saint of automobile drivers because of a legend that her guardian angel would light her path with a headlight-like lantern. Do you pay attention to the operation of your guardian angel in your life? Ask your angel “to light, to guard, to rule and guide” you in recovery.
“Hope every thing from the mercy of God; it is as boundless as His power” (Saint Frances of Rome).
Reflection by Brad Farmer