Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Benvenuta Bojani

The Basics: Born May 4, 1254, in Italy; died October 30, 1292, in Italy; beatified February 6, 1763, by Clement XIV; feast day, October 30; lay woman. The Story: The story goes that Benvenuta’s father was somewhat disappointed to find he and his wife had had a seventh daughter, but shook it off quickly, proclaiming, “She too… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Benvenuta Bojani

Wednesday’s Woman: Saint Franca Visalta

The Basics: Born in 1170 in Italy; died in 1218 in Italy; cultus confirmed in 1273 by Gregory X; feast day, April 26; woman religious. The Story: Sometimes our spiritual rigor, regardless of how well intentioned, doesn’t sit well with others. Franca, the daughter of a family in the nobility, was sent to a Benedictine abbey when… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Saint Franca Visalta

Wednesday’s Woman: Saint Edith of Wilton

The Basics: Born about 961 in England; died September 16, 984, in England; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, September 16; woman religious. The Story: She lived inside the walls of Wilton Abbey nearly all her life, but Edith’s twenty-three years still intrigue us. Her father, King Edgar, carried off her mother, Wulfrida, from the abbey under circumstances that… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Saint Edith of Wilton

Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Maria Vittoria De Fornari Strata

The Basics: Born in 1562 in Italy; died December 15, 1617, in Italy; beatified September 21, 1828, by Leo XIII; feast day, December 15; wife, mother, woman religious. The Story: Maria’s life had been humming along just fine. Born into a wealthy family of nine children, she married at seventeen. Five children had been born into this… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Maria Vittoria De Fornari Strata