Oblates of St. Frances of Rome
Encyclopedia
The Oblates of St. Frances of Rome are a monastic community in Rome of women Oblates founded by St. Frances of Rome
in 1425 to provide an outlet for a life of prayer and service among the wealthier women of the city. The group quickly developed a life in common, without monastic vows, committed to prayer and service to the poor of the city. They still continue today in this way of life here at their one and only monastery.
when she was a child. Nevertheless, her parents forced her into marriage with a wealthy and aristocratic member of the papal military forces. Despite their privileged position, the couple were not spared personal suffering, losing two young children to the various plagues which afflicted the city at that time. This was due, in large part, to the neglect it suffered during the period of the Great Schism within the Roman Catholic Church
, as three separate cardinals established themselves as the legitimate Pope
, two of whom were based in France. This tied up most of Western Europe in years of military conflict among the competing parties.
Through their losses, Frances became aware of the suffering of the general populace in the city. Already a pious and devout wife, she recruited other noble wives to join in caring for the poor and the sick. She and her sister-in-law
would frequent the various hospitals of Rome, nursing the sick and distributing food to the hungry. Gradually, her longheld desire for monastic life developed into a desire to unite this with the service of the poor. Finally in 1425 she decided that she would henceforth live in celibacy
, receiving the consent she needed from her husband for this step.
On August 15th, she and nine companions made monastic oblation
to the Olivetan Monastery attached to the Church of Santa Maria Nuova
. They did not cease to live with their families, and the other wives were not required to embrace celibacy the way Frances had done, but they did become a formal group, committed to both the contemplative life and a life of charity
. Frances herself continued to live with her husband till his death in 1436.
and other new spiritual movements. To answer this need, Frances acquired a house near the Campidoglio, next to the Church of San Andrea dei Funari. This stood in the shade of the fortified tower built by the Specchi family, from which the name of the house comes . Those among the oblates so inclined could live a common life there, according to their Benedictine spirituality. Those who did enter this community, however, were not to be bound by monastic vows, as nuns would be. In this way, they would be free to pursue their service to the poor out in the streets and hospitals of the city.
This new religious congregation was formally established on March 25th, 1433, the Feast of the Annunciation. Through a mystical vision, St. Frances was inspired to have St. Paul, St. Benedict and St. Mary Magdalen as the patron saint
s of the new community. They continued to live without vows, but otherwise lived a typical monastic life of prayer and manual labor. The monastery received papal approval on July 4th of that same year. Thus they formed an innovative form of religious life for the period, neither cloistered nuns nor laity. St. Frances joined them upon the death of her husband in 1436, becoming the President of the community, a post she held till her death four years later.
The community still lives in this basic pattern established at their founding. They follow a basic monastic routine and offer a ministry of hospitality in the heart of the City of Rome. Instead of the standard three vows, they promise obedience to the President of the community, and not to depart, should they chose to do so, in a way which might disrupt the lives of the community. The Oblates were not formally recognized as Religious Sisters, however, until a special decree of Blessed
Pope John XXIII
in 1958, by which he commanded that the form of commitment taken by the Oblates was to be acknowledged as canonical
vows.
as the Lamb of God . This is presented by the Pope as a token of honor to those whom the Holy See
wishes to recognize as having given notable service to the Church. They are blessed during Holy Week
and distributed at Easter
.
Frances of Rome
Saint Frances of Rome, Obl.S.B., is an Italian saint who was a wife, mother, mystic, organizer of charitable services and a Benedictine oblate who founded a religious community of vowed oblates.- Biography :...
in 1425 to provide an outlet for a life of prayer and service among the wealthier women of the city. The group quickly developed a life in common, without monastic vows, committed to prayer and service to the poor of the city. They still continue today in this way of life here at their one and only monastery.
Origins
St. Frances (1378-1440) was a native and noblewoman of the city who had wanted to be a nunNun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
when she was a child. Nevertheless, her parents forced her into marriage with a wealthy and aristocratic member of the papal military forces. Despite their privileged position, the couple were not spared personal suffering, losing two young children to the various plagues which afflicted the city at that time. This was due, in large part, to the neglect it suffered during the period of the Great Schism within the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, as three separate cardinals established themselves as the legitimate Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
, two of whom were based in France. This tied up most of Western Europe in years of military conflict among the competing parties.
Through their losses, Frances became aware of the suffering of the general populace in the city. Already a pious and devout wife, she recruited other noble wives to join in caring for the poor and the sick. She and her sister-in-law
Sister-in-law
A sister-in-law is the sister of one's spouse, the wife of one's sibling, or sometimes the wife of one's spouse's sibling...
would frequent the various hospitals of Rome, nursing the sick and distributing food to the hungry. Gradually, her longheld desire for monastic life developed into a desire to unite this with the service of the poor. Finally in 1425 she decided that she would henceforth live in celibacy
Celibacy
Celibacy is a personal commitment to avoiding sexual relations, in particular a vow from marriage. Typically celibacy involves avoiding all romantic relationships of any kind. An individual may choose celibacy for religious reasons, such as is the case for priests in some religions, for reasons of...
, receiving the consent she needed from her husband for this step.
On August 15th, she and nine companions made monastic oblation
Oblation
Oblation, an offering , a term, particularly in ecclesiastical usage, for a solemn offering or presentation to God.-Bible usage:...
to the Olivetan Monastery attached to the Church of Santa Maria Nuova
Santa Maria Nuova
For the church in Rome, see Santa Maria Nuova .Santa Maria Nuova is a comune in the Province of Ancona in the Italian region Marche, located about 20 km southwest of Ancona....
. They did not cease to live with their families, and the other wives were not required to embrace celibacy the way Frances had done, but they did become a formal group, committed to both the contemplative life and a life of charity
Charity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
. Frances herself continued to live with her husband till his death in 1436.
Monastery of Tor de' Specchi
Within a few years some of the women desired to live a life in common, where they could more easily practice spiritual exercises and be freer to commit themselves to the poor. This was already widespread in Rome for men and women who belonged to the Third Order of St. FrancisThird Order of St. Francis
The Third Order of St. Francis is a third order within the Franciscan movement of the Roman Catholic Church. It includes both congregations of vowed men and women and fraternities of men and women living standard lives in the world, usually married...
and other new spiritual movements. To answer this need, Frances acquired a house near the Campidoglio, next to the Church of San Andrea dei Funari. This stood in the shade of the fortified tower built by the Specchi family, from which the name of the house comes . Those among the oblates so inclined could live a common life there, according to their Benedictine spirituality. Those who did enter this community, however, were not to be bound by monastic vows, as nuns would be. In this way, they would be free to pursue their service to the poor out in the streets and hospitals of the city.
This new religious congregation was formally established on March 25th, 1433, the Feast of the Annunciation. Through a mystical vision, St. Frances was inspired to have St. Paul, St. Benedict and St. Mary Magdalen as the patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
s of the new community. They continued to live without vows, but otherwise lived a typical monastic life of prayer and manual labor. The monastery received papal approval on July 4th of that same year. Thus they formed an innovative form of religious life for the period, neither cloistered nuns nor laity. St. Frances joined them upon the death of her husband in 1436, becoming the President of the community, a post she held till her death four years later.
The community still lives in this basic pattern established at their founding. They follow a basic monastic routine and offer a ministry of hospitality in the heart of the City of Rome. Instead of the standard three vows, they promise obedience to the President of the community, and not to depart, should they chose to do so, in a way which might disrupt the lives of the community. The Oblates were not formally recognized as Religious Sisters, however, until a special decree of Blessed
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII
-Papal election:Following the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, Roncalli was elected Pope, to his great surprise. He had even arrived in the Vatican with a return train ticket to Venice. Many had considered Giovanni Battista Montini, Archbishop of Milan, a possible candidate, but, although archbishop...
in 1958, by which he commanded that the form of commitment taken by the Oblates was to be acknowledged as canonical
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
vows.
The Agnus Dei
By special privilege, the Sisters of Tor de' Specchi are the only one permitted to create an item of special Papal significance. It is a small wax image of ChristChrist
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
as the Lamb of God . This is presented by the Pope as a token of honor to those whom the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
wishes to recognize as having given notable service to the Church. They are blessed during Holy Week
Holy Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter...
and distributed at Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
.
External Sources
See also
- St. Francis of Rome
- Tor de' Specchi MonasteryTor de' Specchi MonasteryThe Monastery of Tor de' Specchi is the home of the Oblates of St. Frances of Rome. Located in the heart of the city, it was established on 25 March 1433, the Feast of the Annunciation, by the foundress of the community, St. Frances of Rome...
- Order of St. Benedict
- OlivetansOlivetansThe Olivetans, or the Order of Our Lady of Mount Olivet, are a monastic order formally recognised in 1344. They have formed the Olivetan Congregation within the Benedictine Confederation since 1960.-History:...