Saint Juliana Falconieri

Feast Day: June 19

By Emily Woodham

Staff Writer

St. Juliana Falconieri was born in 1270 in Florence, Italy. The city was known for its wealth and beauty, but it was marred by vendettas (oaths of revenge by murder), ruthless dishonesty, and little regard for human life. She was only five years younger than Dante Alighieri, whose Divine Comedy fa­mously exposed the evils and corruption that plagued both the Church and the secular world of Florence. Dante condemned many of the citizens and clergy for their heartless treatment of the poor and vulnerable. It was in this atmo­sphere of vanity, greed and lust that Juliana Falconieri rolled up her sleeves and put her fiery faith into action.

Juliana’s parents were wealthy and devout. St. Alexis Falco­nieri, one of the Seven Founders of the Servites, was Juliana’s uncle. Because her parents were unable to conceive children for many years, they used their wealth to support charitable causes, including the Servite Order, to whom they provided funds for the construction of the first Servite church, the Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation.

When Juliana was conceived late in her parents’ marriage, it was considered a miracle. Her father died a few years later.

Juliana adored her uncle, St. Alexis, who helped raise her after her father’s death. Around the age of 5, she decided that she wanted to be wholly consecrated to Jesus as a Religious and to be a part of the Servite Order. Her mother hoped she would out­grow this desire, but Juliana had no interest in wealthy society or married life. She loved Jesus so much that she wanted her life to be utterly devoted to loving Him in consecrated service.

When she was 14, Juliana refused an arranged marriage. Over time, her uncle convinced her mother to let Juliana follow her calling to Religious life.

St. Philip Benizi, another member of the Seven Founders and Superior General at that time, gave Juliana the habit and became her spiritual director. He wrote a Rule for her as a Third Order of the Servants of Mary. She lived at home with her mother, following a strict routine of prayer, penance and service.

Juliana’s mother, who was nearing death, bought a house near the Servite church to serve as a convent for Juliana and any other women who wanted to join her in Religious life.

In 1305, Juliana’s mother died, and the next phase of her Servite life began. At the time, it was unusual for Religious women to be uncloistered, but many were drawn to the life of prayer, fasting and work within the Third Order of Servites. It quickly grew under Juliana’s loving leadership.

The Servite Sisters wore white veils and black mantles over long black hab­its. They kept their sleeves shorter than usual so that they would be unhindered in their hard work in hospitals and homes caring for the sick, poor and other vulnerable. The people began calling them the “Mantellates” because of their pinafore-like mantles.

The Mantellates held strict, full fasts on Wednesdays and Fridays. They ded­icated Fridays to meditations on the Passion of Christ. On Saturdays, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, they allowed themselves bread and water. They offered their sacrifices to bring an end to the violence, vendettas and other divisions that were pervasive in Florence. Juliana often intervened in vendettas herself. Sworn enemies became peaceful friends through her influence.

Juliana had an intense devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows and the Eucharist. She received Holy Communion three times a week, despite the prevalent scru­pulous belief that receiving Holy Communion frequently was disrespectful. Juliana’s love for Jesus in the Eucharist was so pure and genuine that she was given special permission.

Her prayer life became full of ecstasies that would sometimes last for days. Her prayers are credited with saving the Servite Order during a difficult period.

Juliana’s extreme fasts eventually created ulcers in her digestive system. She became chronically ill and had difficulty eating and drinking. In 1341, she be­came so violently sick that she could not receive the Holy Eucharist. Witnesses of her death said she remained joyful in her suffering, except for lamenting that she couldn’t receive Holy Communion.

Nonetheless, accounts of her death include a Eucharistic miracle: when the priest came to visit her on her deathbed, she asked him to lay the consecrated Host over her heart. He laid a corporal on her chest, upon which he placed the host as she requested.

Miraculously, the Host disappeared. Her body immedi­ately became serene, and she died.

When her body was prepared for burial, the cross that was imprinted on the Eucharistic Host was found like a tattoo on her chest, precisely where the Host had been placed. The Sisters decided to incorporate an embroidered image of a radiating Host into their habits, sewn onto the area over the heart.

Her death was on June 19. Servite biographers noted that in some years, the movable Solemnities of Corpus Christi and the Sacred Heart of Jesus some­times fall on her feast day, which she would have considered an honor.

St. Juliana Falconieri was buried at the Basilica of the Most Holy Annunci­ation in Florence, where her tomb can still be visited. She is the patron saint of those who are sick, especially with chronic illness. Many also turn to her in prayer for reconciliation in relationships.