Tag Archives: Rome

“Good Pope John!”

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Pope John XXIII

Saint John XXIII was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, in 1881. Born to an Italian peasant family, the fourth child in a family of fourteen. He felt called to the priesthood, and entered a seminary. Encouraged by his spiritual director, he joined and was professed into the Secular Franciscan Order. He was ordained a priest in 1904.

In 1905, he served as secretary to the bishop of the Diocese of Bergamo, Italy. When World War I began, Father Roncalli was drafted into the Italian Army as stretcher bearer. He would receive promotion to the rank of sergeant for his work. He eventually was made a chaplain within the army.

He would enter the diplomatic service for the Holy See, He was sent to Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece. He would be consecrated a bishop and eventually an Archbishop. While in Turkey, during World War II, he used his diplomatic status to help Jewish families escape the Nazi persecution.

After the war, Roncalli remained active in the Papal diplomatic service. He served as nuncio in France for a time. In 1958, he was both made a Cardinal and named Patriarch of Venice, Italy, which also made him an Archbishop.

In 1958, with the death of Pope Pius XII, a Papal Conclave was called. After eleven ballots with no results. The Cardinals settled on Cardinal Roncalli, as a “caretaker” Pope. He would prove be anything but a “caretaker.” He summoned the world’s bishops to an Ecumenical Council, known today as Vatican II. With his encouragement, the bishops discussed matters concerning the life of the Church, and its relationship with the world. From it would come documents that would renew the Church.

He would not see the end of this great project. John XXIII died on June 3rd, 1963. He was canonized a saint in 2014.

Blessed Jacoba of Settesoli, Secular Franciscan

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Jacoba of Settesoli was born in the year 1190 into a noble Italian family. She married into a wealthy Roman family, and she and her husband would have children, including two sons. Sadly, her husband passed away.

While managing her household and caring for her children, she began to hear of an itinerant preacher, by the name of Francis. What she heard stirred her heart; and she desired to meet him.

An opportunity came when Francis and his band of brothers came to the city of Rome. Francis was seeking the Pope’s approval of his Rule of Life for his growing community. Lady Jacoba was able to speak to him about how she could live a more spiritual life, following Jesus. Francis advised her to continue caring for her family; that it was possible to live the Gospel life as both a mother and a householder. She followed his advice, although she did turn over management of the family lands to her two sons. She began living a life of prayer and charity. Francis and his brothers would visit her when they were in Rome. She gave a gift of land to the friars so that they could establish a shelter and hospital for local lepers.

During his final illness, he sent word to Jacoba, asking her to come to Assisi, with cloth to make a burial shroud. And he also asked her to bring some of those almond cookies she used to bake for him when he visited her home. She left Rome immediately.

When she reached Assisi; there was an argument among the brothers if it was appropriate for a woman to enter the friary! Francis settled the issue when he commanded them to let “Brother Jacoba” come in. She was present when he died; and mourned with the brothers.

Lady Jacoba remained to Assisi for the rest of her life. She died on February 8, 1273, and is buried in crypt of the Basilica of St Francis; near his tomb.