Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Emilia Bicchieri

The Basics: Born in May 3, 1238, in Italy; died May 3, 1314, in Italy; beatified August 19, 1769, by Clement XIV; feast day, August 19. Woman religious. The Story: The signs were all there that God had a special plan for Emilia Bicchieri. It’s said that her pregnant mother had a dream of a woman dressed… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Emilia Bicchieri

Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Chiara Gambacorta

The Basics: Born in 1362 in Italy; died April 17, 1420, in Italy; beatified March 3, 1830, by Pius VII; feast day, April 17. Wife, woman religious. The Story: It’s not uncommon for the lives of the saints to intersect, and so it was with Chiara Gambacorta. The child, then known as Victoria, was born into a… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Chiara Gambacorta

Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Villana de Botti

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.… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Villana de Botti

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Ermenberga

The Basics: Born in the 7th century in England; died c. 700 in England; canonized precongregation; feast day, November 19. Wife, mother, woman religious. The Story: It was probably not the way Ermenberga expected to spend the final thirty or so years of her life. She was the daughter and granddaughter of kings in the Kent region,… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Ermenberga