Wednesday’s Woman: St. Adela of Normandy

The Basics: Born  about 1062 in France; died 1137 in France; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, February 24. Ruler; woman religious. The Story: Adela was exposed to power and its workings from birth: her father was William the Conqueror. When she was about eighteen, she married Stephen of Blois. It appears the marriage worked for them both; the couple… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Adela of Normandy

Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Eugenie Smet

Note: To observe the Jubilee Year of Mercy (which runs through November 20), for several weeks I featured women who exemplify one of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy. Today we wrap up with pray for the living and the dead. The Basics: Born March 25, 1823, in France; died February 7, 1871, in France;… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Eugenie Smet

Friends in Faith: Mary Catherine Craige

Mary Catherine Craige and I met last summer at a Blessed Is She brunch. Maybe it’s because we’re both writers, but something about us clicked immediately, even though I’m thirty-odd years older. (I told her she could call me her old-lady friend, but she graciously refused to do so.) Mary Catherine is thoughtful, and better… Continue reading Friends in Faith: Mary Catherine Craige

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Fabiola

The Basics: Birthdate unknown in Italy; died about 399 in Italy; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, December 27. Laywoman; philanthropist. The Story: It was a complicated life, full of twists and turns. Fabiola, born into a noble family, first was married to a man who proved to be so violent that she sought and was granted a civil… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Fabiola