Catholic Fire

The saint of the day for April 26 is St. Franca of Piacenza, a Cistercian nun and foundress.  She was placed in the Benedictine convent of Saint Syrus at Piacenza, Italy in 1177 at age seven and entered the Order at age 14.  She was elected abbess as a young nun, but was removed from office due to her rigid interpretation of the Rule. Nevertheless, one of the nuns, Sister Carentia, agreed with her discipline. When Carentia entered the Cistercian novitiate at Rapallo, Italy, she convinced her parents to build a Cistercian house at Montelana, Italy. Franca became abbess of the community, to which both she and Franca had entered. The community later moved to Pittoli, Italy. Franca consistently maintained the severe penances she imposed on herself, even in the face of poor health. She spent most nights in the chapel, praying for hours.  She was canonized by Pope Gregory X.

Madonna and Child with St Dominic and St Aurea, circa 1315 Artist: Duccio di Buoninsegna Aurea: Latin (Golden), also known as Oria Aurea was born around the year 1042 in the village of Villavelayo, Spain in a region controlled by Moors. As a youth, Aurea studied the Scriptures and the lives of the early martyrs of the Church. Her favorite saints to meditate on and emulate were Saint Agatha, Saint Eulalia, and Saint Cecilia. As a young woman, Aurea decided to leave home and join a religious monastery. She was welcomed into the Benedictine monastery of San Millan de la Cogolla and completely applied herself to monastic life. Soon after entering the monastery, Aurea received a vision of her three favorite saints and was encouraged to follow her chosen lifestyle with more zeal. According to tradition, she performed many miracles and many people began to seek her advice and prayers. Aurea spent only a few years of her life in the monastery. She died in 1069 at the age of 27.