Servite Tertiary (1301-1367)
Her life
+ Jane (Giovana) was born into a noble family in Florence, Italy.
+ A spiritual student of Saint Juliana Falconieri (the founder of the Servite’s Third Order) and Jane, herself, became a Servite tertiary.
+ She attended Mass each day and adored the Blessed Sacrament during the night. She was also known for her untiring devotion to the Passion of Christ and the Sorrows of Mary.
+ Blessed Jane Soderini died on September 1, 1367. Devotion to Blessed Jane was confirmed in 1827.
For prayer and reflection
“Here is a wise virgin, from among the number of the prudent, who went forth with lighted lamp to meet Christ.”—Entrance Antiphon from the Common of Virgins
Spiritual bonus
On this day, the Church also remembers Saint Giles. A hermit, Giles later founded a monastery near Nimes, France, serving as the community’s first abbot. Saint Giles died around 724 and is honored as the heavenly patron of those with physically disabilities; he is celebrated as one of the “Fourteen Holy Helpers.”
Prayer
Hear us, God our Savior, that, as we rejoice in commemorating the Virgin blessed Jane, we may be instructed by her loving devotion. 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: Common of Virgins—For One Virgin)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...