The Basics: Born in 1332 in Italy; died January 29, 1361, in Italy; beatified March 27, 1824, by Leo XII; feast day, January 29. Wife, lay Dominican.
The Story: Villana’s short life took many turns. Born into a wealthy family in Florence, she was just thirteen when she left for a convent, determined to be a nun. However, her family had other plans and she returned home. At nineteen, she was wedded to Rosso Benintendi in an arranged marriage. The couple embarked on a self-indulgent lifestyle, with much emphasis on social activities and earthly goods. Then, when dressing for a party, Villana looked into a mirror to admire herself, and instead saw an image so ugly she asked for other mirrors, only to see 
the same hideous image. She met with Dominican priests to beg for forgiveness of her sins, leaving to do so before changing out of her finery.
Villana remained married to Rosso and became a lay Dominican. Both simplified their lifestyles. She spent much of her time studying St. Paul and ministering to the needy, and was known to go into ecstasies. While some regarded her dramatic conversion with suspicion, eventually Villana came to be treasured in the community. When she died, it was a month before she could be entombed because so many people came to pay their respects to her. Her remains are at Florence’s Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in a tomb designed by Bernardo Rossellino and commissioned by a family member.
What We Can Learn from Villana: Don’t ignore the visual and other signs God provides to show us when we’re off track.
To Learn More About Villana: Check out her biography at the Dominican Missionaries of San Sisto‘s site.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
