Religious (1463-1539)
Her life
+ María was born into a noble family in Lleida, Spain. In 1506 she moved to Naples with her husband, who was regent to the Viceroy of Naples.
+ Her husband died in 1509 and, after being miraculously healed of a chronic physical ailment after making a pilgrimage to the Holy House of Loreto, she became a Franciscan.
+ In 1516 she established a hospital and a home to care for women who had been sex workers; she established second hospital in 1519.
+ Inspired by the ideals of the recently established Capuchin Franciscans, María established a new community of women called “Santa Maria in Gerasalamme.” The community became known as the Capuchin Poor Clares. The new order was granted papal approval by Pope Paul III.
+ Blessed María Lorenza de Longo was died on December 21, 1539 in Naples, and was beatified in 2021.
For prayer and reflection
O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
Spiritual bonus
December 21 is also the commemoration of Saint Peter Canisius. A Jesuit priest and prolific author during the early years of the Protestant Reformation, he died in Fribourg, Switzerland, in 1597. Saint Peter Cansisius was canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1925 and is honored as the patron saint of the Catholic Press.
Prayer
Hear in kindness, O Lord,
the prayers of your people,
that those who rejoice
at the coming of your Only Begotten Son in our flesh
may, when at last he comes in glory,
gain the reward of eternal life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Collect for December 21)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...