St Frances of Rome

how we decided on the name Frances >> from the list of Saints names of catholic.org, we came across St Frances of Rome.

As a quiet, pious & strong-willed girl, Frances wanted to be a nun at 11. However, God's will is for her to marry into a wealthy family. But Frances had a hard time living up to the demands of the high social life and collapsed from the strain.
At her lowest point in life, she had a vision of St Alexis who asked her if she wants to get well again. Really wanting to end her life, she answered instead,"God's will is mine". The hardest words she could have said -- but the right words to set her on the road to sanctity.

Frances then led a life devoted to her husband & family obligations. She also helped the poor, set up a makeshift hospital & a shelter for the homeless.

God also granted Frances a special grace by sending an archangel to be her guardian angel for the rest of her life. She would always be able to see him. A constant companion and spiritual adviser, he once commanded her to stop her severe penances (eating only bread and water and wearing a hair shirt). "You should understand by now," the angel told her, "that the God who made your body and gave it to your soul as a servant never intended that the spirit should ruin the flesh and return it to him despoiled."

Frances also started a lay order of women attached to the Benedictines called the Oblates of Mary. The women lived in the world but pledged to offer themselves to God and serve the poor.

During Frances' husband last days, Frances nursed him until he died. Lorenzo's last words to her were, "I feel as if my whole life has been one beautiful dream of purest happiness. God has given me so much in your love."
After his death, Frances moved into the house with the other Oblates and was made superior. At 52 she had the life she dreamed of when she was eleven. She had been right in discerning her original vocation -- she just had the timing wrong. God had had other plans for her in between.

Prayer:
Saint Frances of Rome, help us to see the difference between what we want to do and what God wants us to do. Help us to discern what comes from our will and what comes from God's desire. Amen.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=49