Juliana Falconieri

Infobox Saint
name=Saint Juliana Falconieri
birth_date=1270
death_date=June 19, 1341
feast_day=June 19
venerated_in=Roman Catholic Church


imagesize=120px
caption=
birth_place=Florence, Italy
death_place=Florence, Italy
titles=Virgin; Foundress
beatified_date=July 26, 1678
beatified_place=Rome
beatified_by=Pope Innocent XI
canonized_date=June 16, 1737
canonized_place=Rome
canonized_by=Pope Clement XII
attributes=represented in the habit of her order with a Host upon her breast
patronage=bodily ills, sick people, sickness
major_shrine=Church of Santissima Annunziata, Florence
suppressed_date=
issues=

Saint Juliana Falconieri (1270 – June 19, 1341) was the Italian foundress of the Servite Third Order.

Juliana belonged to the noble Florentine family of the Falconieri. Her uncle, Alexis Falconieri, was one of the seven founders of the Servite Order. Under his influence, she decided at a young age to follow the religious life. After her father's death, she received c. 1385 the habit of the Third Order of the Servites, from Philip Benizi, then General of that order. She remained at home following the rule Benitius had given her until her mother's death, when Juliana and several companions moved into a house of their own in 1305. This became the first convent of the Sisters of the Third Order of Servites. Juliana would serve as superior until the end of her life.

The Servites' dress consisted of a black gown, secured by a leather girdle, and a white veil. Because the gown had short sleeves to facilitate work, people called the sisters of the new order "Mantellate."

The sisters devoted themselves especially to the care of the sick and other works of mercy. Juliana directed the community of Servite Tertiaries for thirty-five years.

An extraordinary occurrence, mentioned in the "oratio" of her feast day, is said to have occurred at Juliana's death. She, at this time, unable to receive Holy Communion because of constant vomiting, requested the priest to spread a corporal upon her chest and lay the Host on it. Shortly thereafter, the Host disappeared and Juliana died, June 19, 1341. [The Catholic Encyclopedia article (alone) gives June 12 as the date of her death, perhaps as a misprint. CathEncy|id=08556a|title=St. Juliana Falconieri] The image of a Cross, just like the one on the Host, was found on her breast.

Veneration

Immediately after her death she was honored as a saint.

The Order of Servite Tertiaries was sanctioned by Pope Martin V in the year 1420. Pope Benedict XIII granted the Servites permission to celebrate the Feast of St Juliana. Pope Clement XII canonized her in the year 1737, and extended the celebration of her feast day June 19 to the entire Church. St Juliana is usually represented in the habit of her order with a Host upon her breast.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.saintpetersbasilica.org/Statues/Founders/JulianaFalconieri/Juliana%20Falconieri.htm Saint Peter's Basilica: "Statue of St Juliana Falconieri"]
* [http://saints.sqpn.com/saintj32.htm Patron Saints Index: "St Juliana Falconieri"]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08556a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: "St. Juliana Falconieri"]
* [http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/58450 "Santi e Beati"] it icon
* [http://www.enrosadira.it/santi/g/giulianafalconieri.htm Giovanni Sicari: "Reliquie Insigni e Corpi Santi a Roma"] it icon