Gian
Lorenzo Bernini – Ludovica Albertini. 1671-1674,
Sainte Louise Albertoni
Elle passa toute sa vie à
Rome. Elle fut une bonne épouse et une bonne mère de famille. Devenue veuve en
1506, elle rejoint les tertiaires franciscaines et consacre sa vie et sa
fortune à secourir les pauvres. Elle ne conservait plus pour elle que le strict
nécessaire et donnait tout aux pauvres. On disait que jamais un pauvre ne
s'éloignait d'elle en emportant un refus. Elle meurt en 1533, à 59 ans.
Bienheureuse Louise Albertoni
Jeune veuve (✝ 1530)
Elle passa toute sa
vie à Rome. Elle fut une bonne épouse et une bonne mère de famille qui voulait
plaire à son mari et voulait en même temps être attentive en tout pour plaire à
Dieu. A trente trois ans, elle eut la douleur de perdre le mari qu'elle aimait
tant et elle prit l'habit du Tiers-Ordre de saint
François, menant alors une vie ascétique et assidue à la prière,
s'en allant pèleriner dans les basiliques romaines. Elle ne conservait plus
pour elle que le strict nécessaire et donnait tout aux pauvres. On disait que
jamais un pauvre ne s'éloignait d'elle en emportant un refus.
Culte confirmé par le pape Clément X en 1671.
À Rome, en 1533, la bienheureuse Louise Albertoni. Elle éleva très
chrétiennement ses trois filles et, après la mort de son mari, elle prit
l’habit du Tiers-Ordre franciscain, secourut abondamment les pauvres et, de
riche qu’elle était, devint elle-même très pauvre.
Martyrologe
romain
Blessed Louise degli Albertoni, Widow (RM)
Born in Rome, Italy, 1474; died 1533; cultus approved in 1671. Louise married James de Citara and bore him three children. After his death, Louise put on the habit of the Franciscan tertiary and spent her life in works of charity (Benedictines).
Blessed Louise degli
Albertoni
Also known as
Profile
Born to a wealthy
and prominent family. Married to James de Citara. Mother of three. Widowed in 1506. Franciscan tertiary. She spent her fortune and ruined her health in caring for
the poor. Given to religious ecstasies, she was known as a miracle worker, and had the gift of levitation.
Born
Blessed Louise Albertoni
(Beata Luisa Albertoni)
Feast Day – February 27
Louise
first saw the light of the world at Rome in the year 1474. Her parents belonged
to the distinguished families of this city because of their wealth, but still
more because of their piety. They bestowed great care upon the training of
their daughter, and she responded fully to their efforts, so that she developed
into a model for all young women. She had resolved to remain unmarried; but
when her parents urged her to be betrothed to an illustrious young man, she
believed she recognized the will of God in their desire and agreed to the
marriage.
But
even in the married state, in which she remained attached to her husband with
genuine love, she sought above all things to please God. Her attire was very
plain, and even away from home she avoided frivolous pomp and luxury. God
blessed their union with three daughters, whom she was careful to rear above
all in the love and fear of God.
When
Blessed Louise Albertoni was but thirty-three years old, she lost her husband
in death. After her daughters were provided for, Louise thought of nothing but
to dedicate herself to the service of God. Publicly she took the habit of the
Third Order, practiced the severest penances, and was so irresistibly drawn to
the contemplation of the sufferings of Our Lord and they were so constantly
before her mind, that she continually wept, and it was feared that she would
lose her sight.
She
bore a special love toward the poor as special members of Christ. She used the
abundant income of her fortune entirely for their support. But she strove to
conceal her liberality. With this intention she often hid pieces of money in
the bread that was given to the poor at her door, and then begged Almighty God
that He would let it fall to the lot of such as needed it most. Her benevolence
knew no bounds. Sometimes she lacked even the necessaries for herself. But then
she rejoiced to be like Christ, who, being rich, became poor out of love for
men.
God
repaid her with extraordinary graces. He granted her the gift of miracles and
frequent ecstasy. He also told her beforehand of the day of her death.
When
her end drew nigh, she received the last sacraments with great devotion. Then
looking at the crucifix with the tenderest pity, she kissed it and said: “Into
Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.” Thereupon she breathed forth her soul
on the day that had been announced to her, which was January 31, 1533.
Her
body rests in the church of St Francis on the Tiber, and her feast is
celebrated in Rome with great solemnity. Pope Clement X beatified Blessed
Louise Albertoni in 1671.
from
The Franciscan Book of Saints, edited by Marion Habig, OFM
Blessed Louise Albertoni |
Widow, Third Order
|
Blessed Louise was born
in Rome in 1474 of a wealthy family. In time, she married and gave birth to
three daughters.
When Louise was thirty years of age, her husband died. Arranging for her daughters to be cared for, Louise took on the habit of the Third Order and practiced the severest penances. Louise was drawn to the contemplation of the sufferings of Christ and continually wept such that others thought she might lose her sight. Louise had plenty of money to give to the poor but she strove to conceal her liberality. With this intention, she would often hide coins in the bread she gave to the poor, and then begged God that He would let it fall to the lot of such that needed it most. Blessed Louise was granted the gift of miracles and frequent ecstasy. Christ also told her beforehand the day of her death which was 31 January 1533. Her last words were; "Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit". Her body rests in the church of St Francis on the Tiber in Rome. Pope Clement X beatified her in 1671. |
