Saint Frances of Rome

Frances was born in the year 1384, into nobility and great wealth. The luxurious life they led in their palace, did not affect the spirituality of the family. As they were deeply devout, it should have come as no surprise that Frances, at the age of only eleven years, would ask to be allowed to enter a convent. They refused, emphatically! Although her parents were holy and pious people, they would not acquiesce. They had very different plans for this beautiful and talented daughter, their budding rose! For a year her tearful requests and persistent pleading to become a nun, fell on deaf ears. At the end of that time, the family introduced her to the man who was to be her spouse. He was young and wealthy, came from a fine family, equal in stature and position with that of her family. All in all, Lorenzo Ponziano, her future husband was a perfect match for the fair Frances. Seeing his kindness and gentleness, Frances finally gave in and at thirteen years old, she was betrothed to Lorenzo and settled in the Ponziano Palace.