Saint of the Day – 29 February – Blessed Antonia of Florence OSC (1401-1472) Widow, Abbess of the Monastery of Corpus Christi in L’Aquila. Born in 1401 in Florence, Italy and died on 29 February 1472 in her Convent at Aquila, Italy of natural causes, her Feast Day is, therefore, celebrated on 28 February in non-Leap years. Her body is incorrupt. Antonia was Beatified in 1847 by Pope Pius IX.
Blessed Antonia of Florence was born of a noble family in Florence, Italy, in 1401. She entered the married state at a very early age, in compliance with the wish of her parents. She and her husband had one child, a son. When her husband died in 1428, she allowed nothing to induce her to contract a second marriage but resolved to withdraw from the world and live only for God and the salvation of her soul.
These were the years in which Saint Bernardino of Siena, with some companions, spread the Observance movement and the return of an original “Franciscanism” in many Italian cities. Most of the sermons were given in the square, the churches were unable to contain the crowds that punctually flocked. Brother Bernardino preached in Santa Croce in Florence from 8 March to 3 May 1425. Antonia, listening to him, responded yes, without conditions, to God’s call. She had known the experience of married life, she was a mother, but the Lord gave a turning point to her life. Four years later, once family matters were settled, she entered
In 1429, after ensuring the comfort and care of her son, she entered the Convent of Tertiaries which Blessed Angelina had ounded at Florence. Here she so distinguished herself by virtue and wisdom that after a few years, the Superiors called her to Foligno to preside as Superior of the Convent there.
Although, in her humility, she found it difficult to accept the advancement, she was happy to carry out the appointment under the guidance of Blessed Angelina, who, as Superior General of the several Convents she had founded, dwelt at Foligno. Antonia so availed herself of the opportunity to profit by the holy example and the good counsel of the Foundress that she could be honoured as an example of how a Superior. should conduct herself and her responsibilities.
In consequence, after a few years, Blessed Antonia of Florence was sent to establish a Convent in Aquila. There, under her maternal direction, a veritable sanctuary of holiness budded forth, the fame of which brought joy to that City and the entire vicinity.
Although the religious community zealously served God according to the rule of the Third Order, it did not satisfy Blessed Antonia in her yearning for personal perfection. She felt strongly drawn to a stricter life, to more perfect poverty and to more complete renunciation of the world, as practiced in the Order of St Clare.
At a visitation she communicated her desire to her spiritual Coinfessor, St John of Capistrano OFM (1386-1456). He approved it and, at his suggestion and with the sanction of the Holy Father, in 1447, a new Convent of the Poor Clares was founded at Aquila which ,Antonia with twelve consecrated virgins, entered. She was appointed Superior and Abbess but, while she occupied the highest place, she always strove to find the last. The lowliest tasks, worn clothes, the most disagreeable occupations she assigned to herself, while she shunned all honour and distinction. In all she did and said, there shone forth the most sincere humility.
Just as pronounced was the patience with which she bore the burdens of her position, the weakness of all her subjects, the many importunities of her relatives and finally, the sufferings of a lingering illness.
While she was extraordinarily severe with herself, she possessed truly motherly concern for her Sisters. They, in turn, clung to her with filial love and, when after seven years of administration, she was relieved of the burden, she was still considered, by the sisters, as their mother and model.
God distinguished His faithful servant with special graces. Her prayer amounted to perfect contemplation of heavenly things, the ardour of her devotion sometimes causing her to be raised aloft bodily. Once a glowing sphere was seen suspended over her head.
Blessed Antonia of Florence reached the age of seventy-one years and died on 29 February 1472, addressing words of comfort and holy exhortation to her sorrowing fellow Sister, who were gathered around her.
Numerous miracles occurred at her tomb and her body is a constant miracle, for, up to the present time, it is preserved wholly incorrupt and is of an extraordinary freshness and beauty which is emphasised by the open eyes. The uninterrupted veneration which began with the day of her death received the sanction of Pope Pius IX.
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