Blessed Antonia of Florence {feast day February 26}
Born of a noble family at Florence, Italy, in 1401, Blessed Antonia entered into marriage at an early age out of compliance to her parents. Widowed at the age of 27, with one son, she allowed nothing to tempt her to marry again. A year after becoming a widow at such an early age, she entered the convent of Tertiaries which Blessed Angelina had recently founded in Florence.
Blessed Antonia lived her days so full of virtue and wisdom that after a short time she was asked to go to Foligno to preside as superior of the convent there. In Foligno she found it difficult to act as superior for her humility was so great, yet under Blessed Angelina, superior general of several convents, Antonia faithfully fulfilled her duties. From Foligno, Blessed Antonia went on to establish a convent in Aquila. The convent in Aquila prospered and grew in holiness but yearning for a stricter, more perfect poverty and to be released from worldly things, she sought the guidance from her spiritual director, St John Capistran. With the sanction of the Holy Father and St John Capistran’s approval, a new convent of the St Clares was established in Aquila.
In 1447 Blessed Antonia of Florence along with 12 consecrated virgins lived in community with Antonia as superior. Living as superior yet living to be the least in assigning herself the lowliest tasks, wearing the oldest clothing, and trying to bypass all honor, she lived in great humility. Living in such perfect humility drew her sisters to love her intensely and follow her way.
In prayer, Blessed Antonia’s body elevated at times. In life, Blessed Antonia suffered 15 years in illness. She died in 1472 at her convent at Aquila, Italy of natural causes, and beatified in 1847 by Pope Blessed Pius IX.
Body
In preparing for your day, be simple, be humble
Mind
Meditate on simplifying your day, don’t take on too much for the day, some errands can wait to another day
Soul
Through the intercession of Blessed Antonia help me to grow weary of worldly wants and release my will to that of God’s will
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My true introduction to the lives of the Saints was just within the last 2 years and I can’t tell you how many times since then I have said I don’t why other things are written because they are such wonderful, amazing, and inspiring stories
Love reading about the Saints!
Oh I love this too! Especially in the ‘soul’ feature;
‘help me to grow weary of worldly wants’
Amen. +
I second Anne: love this feature, esp. the body/mind/soul aspect.
Love this feature on women saints!