The Basics: Born 630 in England; died 679 in England; canonized precongregation; feast day, June 23; noblewoman and woman religious. The Story: Etheldreda’s relatively short life was full of intrigue and conflict. The daughter of a ruling-class family (four of her sisters, including Withburga, also are saints), her first husband agreed to her condition of virginity,… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Etheldreda
Category: Wednesday’s Woman
Wednesday’s Woman: St. Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas
The Basics: Born October 4, 1843, in what is now Israel; died March 27, 1927, in Israel; canonized May 17, 2015, by Pope Francis; feast day, March 25; woman religious. The Story: Marie-Alphonsine was born into a very large family–nineteen children, eight of whom lived beyond childhood. She felt called to the religious life, and in 1862… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas
Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Giovannina Franchi
The Basics: Born June 24, 1807, in Italy; died February 23, 1872, in Italy; beatified September 20, 2014; feast day, February 23; woman religious, nurse. The Story: Some would say Giovannina came to the Lord’s plan late. One of seven children born into a financially comfortable family, she started helping the homebound while in school. Then, in… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Giovannina Franchi
Wednesday’s Woman: St. Anna Schaffer
The Basics: Born February 18, 1882, in Germany; died October 5, 1925, in Germany; canonized October 21, 2012, by Benedict XVI; feast day, October 5; laywoman. The Story: Anna’s life was far from easy, but she had a plan: she would become a missionary. To earn her dowry and to help her family, she went to work… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Anna Schaffer