Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Ursulina of Parma

The Basics: Born May 14, 1375, in Parma, Italy; died in 1408 in Verona, Italy; beatified February 11, 1786, by Pope Pius VI; feast day, April 7. Mystic. The Story: Ursulina’s story has some of the same elements as Catherine of Siena’s, though Ursulina is much less remembered. Her mystical relationship with the Lord began very early,… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Ursulina of Parma

Wednesday’s Women: Sts. Irene, Agape, and Chionia

The Basics: Birthdates unknown, in Greece; died 304, in Greece; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, April 3. Martyrs. The Story: Irene’s older sisters, Agape and Chionia, had been burned alive. Their “crimes” had included possessing holy scriptures and refusing to eat meat sacrificed to the gods. Irene remained steadfast in refusing to participate in the sacrifice, and was… Continue reading Wednesday’s Women: Sts. Irene, Agape, and Chionia

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Osburga of Coventry

The Basics: Birthdate and place unknown; died circa 1018 in England; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, March 30. Abbess. The Story: We know little of Osburga’s time on earth, beyond that she was an abbess who was buried at what was then Coventry Cathedral. It proved to be a less than peaceful place; it was destroyed in a… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Osburga of Coventry

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Benedetta Cambiagio Frassinello

The Basics: Born October 2, 1791, in Italy; died March 21, 1858, in Italy; canonized May 19, 2002, by John Paul II; feast day, March 21. Wife, caregiver, woman religious. The Story: It was an unusual life, certainly not the one Benedetta envisioned for herself. She envisioned a quiet life as a woman religious, but her parents… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Benedetta Cambiagio Frassinello