The Basics: April 2, 1587, in Italy; died December 15, 1651, in Italy; canonized May 18, 2003, by John Paul II; feast day, December 15. Laywoman; social worker; mother.
The Story: Virginia, the daughter of aristocratic parents, wanted to be a woman religious. But instead, her parents committed her to an arranged marriage at age fifteen. While it had some joy–including the births of daughters Lelia and Isabella–the union was less than ideal as Virginia’s husband proved to be a drinker and a gambler. He converted to Christianity shortly before his 
death five years after their marriage. Virginia focused her energies on raising the girls, and on helping the sick and elderly where time permitted. She refused a second arranged marriage, and moved in with her mother-in-law.
When her daughters were grown, Virginia began social service work in 1625 during a time of conflict. Six years later, she rented an empty convent because the need was so great. Within three years, three locations were assisting 300 patients. From those who helped Virginia, two congregations formed–the Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge on Mount Calvary and the Daughters of Our Lady on Mount Calvary.
In its heyday, her work was so in demand that the government named patrons to assist with the financing. Virginia disengaged from administrative work in 1641 and returned to the streets, begging for assistance for those she served. While the government assistance went away in 1647, Virginia continued her work and expanded it to include peacemaking activities among the nobility.
One hundred and fifty years after her death, workers excavating under the former St. Claire’s monastery in a Genoese neighborhood found Virginia’s intact remains.
Virginia’s Wisdom: “When God is the only goal, all disagreements are smoothed out, all difficulties overcome.”
What We Can Learn from Virginia: We must be open to God’s plan for service, not the one we carve out for ourselves. While more than half of Virginia’s twenty-plus grandchildren would be consecrated to the religious life, the Lord had other plans for her. Is there a place in your life that could be more open to God’s direction?
To Learn More About Virginia: Visit the site for the Daughters of Our Lady on Mount Calvary.
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.
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