26th April - Saint Franca Visalta
Be obedient, charitable, meek and humble toward each other said Saint Franca Visalta to her nuns on her deathbed.
Saint Franca Visalta was born in Piacenza, Italy, she became a Benedictine nun in Saint Syrus Convent at the age of seven and became abbess at a young age of 14. However, she was removed and isolated because of the severe austerities she imposed. Only one nun, Carentia, agreed with Franca's discipline and she moved to a Cistercian convent in Rapallo. Franca then persuaded her parents to build a Cistercian house in Montelana where she and Carentia both entered. Franca became abbess and maintained the strict austerities on herself, even when her health was failing, and spent most nights praying for several hours in the chapel. She later moved the Cistercian community to Pittoli, where she died in 1218 and was canonised by Pope Gregory X. (Catholic Online)
