Santa Francesca Romana

One day out of the year the Olivetan Oblates of Mary open the doors of their monastery at Tor de’Specchi in the heart of Rome.  This monastery is the only remaining house of the institute founded by Santa Francesca Romana (Saint Frances of Rome) in 1425.  The beautiful and peaceful grounds of the monastery provide a sharp contrast to the busy Via del Teatro Marcello.

Tor de’Specchi Monastery

Santa Francesca was born into a Roman aristocratic family at a time when chaos and disarray ruled the streets of Rome.  The Pope had deserted the city preferring to live in Avignon, France, leaving Rome to the mercy of rivaling noble families.  Francesca, though of noble blood, had close contact with the tragedies and misfortunes of the Roman people.  She experienced great loss and adversity in her own married life through the loss of children and her husband’s loss of property and health after he was critically wounded leaving him handicap for the rest of his life.

Her spiritual life continued to grow deeper as she helped the least fortunate of society.  Her courage and service inspired other aristocratic women to join her.  In 1425 she founded the confraternity of the Olivetan Oblates of Mary, a group of women who would remain living in the world (not religious sisters) while serving the poor.

In 1433 she founded a monastery at Tor de’Specchi for members of her confraternity who desired to live in a religious community.  After her husband’s death in 1436, Francesca went to live at this monastery.

She died in 1440 and is now buried at the 10th century Church of Santa Francesca Romana at the Roman Forum (previouly named Santa Maria Nova).

Santa Francesca Romana is still revered in her native city.

Santa Francesca, pray for us!

I took pictures of the interior of  Tor de’Specchi on March 9th, 2009 but accidentally formatted my camera’s memory before downloading the pictures… so I unfortunately have no pictures to share.

Pictures are mine, all rights reserved.