Saint of the Day: St. Collette, Virgin and Abbess
Born in 1380, Nicolette was named in honor of St. Nicholas of Myra. Her loving parents, who were both in their 60's when she was born, nicknamed her Colette from the time she was a baby. Colette's father was a carpenter at an abbey in Picardy. Quiet and hard-working, Colette was a pious child, who prayed frequently, eagerly assisted her mother with household chores, and demonstrated a sensitive and loving nature. When Collette was 17, both of her parents died and was left her in the care of a Benedictine abbot. Her guardian wanted her to marry, but she was drawn to religious life. She initially tried to join the Beguine and Benedictine orders, but neither one worked out for her. Instead, she became a third order Franciscan. At age 21 she renounced the world in order to spend her life alone in penance and prayer as an anchoress - walled into a cell whose only opening was a grilled window into a church. She soon became well known for her holiness and spiritual wisdom, but left h...