Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Francisca de Paula de Jesus

The Basics: Born about 1810 in Brazil; died June 14, 1895, in Brazil; beatified May 4, 2013; feast day, June 14; social worker.

The Story: To many, Francisca was a nobody, a cipher. Her parents weren’t married, and the

child was born into slavery and poverty, joining a half-brother who had a different father. She was freed when she was ten or so, about the same time her mother died. Francisca was illiterate and had almost no money, yet she managed to gather enough funds to build a small chapel to The Blessed Virgin in her hometown about 120 miles west of Rio de Janeiro. She welcomed all who came to visit the chapel or to meet with her, and shared whatever she had, becoming known as “mother of the poor” or “Aunt Francie.”

Francisca came into some money early in her fifties when her brother died, and used it to begin construction of the Our Lady of Conception sanctuary. She herself lived in a small, two-room unit with its own small altar. In the years before she died, she gave away all her possessions and returned to an even simpler lifestyle.

Francisca’s Wisdom: “I pray, and God through the merits of his divine mother, Mary, serves me.”

What We Can Learn from Francisca: That person you hurry by on the street or in the grocery store because he or she is shabbily dressed is an opportunity to reflect or encounter Jesus. Slow down long enough to smile or say hello, and remember how the Lord used the humble Francisca.

To Learn More About Francisca: Visit the site that supports her cause and includes pictures of the house where she lived.

To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my books, Blessed Are You: Finding Inspiration from Our Sisters in Faith or Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.