# St. Frances of Rome – A Feast Day Reflection
*2015-03-08*

> Bill Young reflects on the life of St. Frances of Rome, a noblewoman who endured plague, war, and personal loss while caring for the poor, and shares a prayer that reminds us to avoid judgment and love our neighbor.

## St. Frances of Rome – Her Life and Witness

St. Frances of Rome was born into a noble Roman family in 1384. At twelve she was married to Lorenzo Ponziani, a soldier in the papal army, because her father wanted her to remain at home rather than become a nun. Though she longed to enter religious life, Frances obeyed her father and became an exemplary wife and mother of three children. Her family suffered greatly: several children died in the plague, her husband was wounded in war, returned home sick, and soon died. Despite these hardships, Frances devoted herself to the poor, the lonely, and the sick, embodying the Christian call to serve others even in the midst of personal suffering.

## A Prayer for Compassion

Bill shares a prayer his wife sent him, which asks God to help us remember the humanity behind everyday frustrations. The prayer asks the Lord to keep in mind the driver who cuts us off in traffic, the over‑worked parent rushing home, the student worried about exams and loans, the beggar asking for money, and the elderly couple moving slowly through a store—perhaps on their last outing together. It reminds us that all our gifts flow from God’s love and that we must extend that love beyond those close to us, being slow to judge, quick to forgive, and full of patience, empathy, and love.

## Living the Unwritten Rules

The core of the prayer is simple: love your neighbor as yourself. Bill emphasizes that this is not just a Lenten practice but a daily call to action. By opening our hearts to all humanity, we fulfill God’s “unwritten rules” of compassion and charity.

*Let us strive each day to see the person behind every circumstance and love them as Christ loves us.*