Saint Juliana Falconieri

Saint Juliana Falconieri was a remarkable figure in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, known for her deep spirituality and service to the sick. Here's a detailed look at her life:

- **Early Life and Family**: Born in **1270** in Florence, Juliana came from the noble Falconieri family. Her uncle, Alexis Falconieri, was one of the seven founders of the Servite Order.

- **Spiritual Calling**: Influenced by her uncle, she decided to follow a consecrated life from a young age. After her father's death, she received the habit of the Third Order of the Servites around **1285** from Philip Benizi, the then Prior General of the Order.

- **Founding the Mantellate Sisters**: Following her mother's death, Juliana and her companions established the first convent of the Sisters of the Third Order of Servites in **1305**, which came to be known as the Mantellate Sisters due to their distinctive short-sleeved black gowns and white veils.

- **Service and Devotion**: Juliana is celebrated for her service to the sick in hospitals, homes, and on the streets. Her community's main devotion was to Our Lady of Sorrows, and they were dedicated to caring for the sick.

- **Eucharistic Miracle**: A notable event in her life is the Eucharistic miracle that occurred at her death. Unable to receive Holy Communion due to constant vomiting, she asked for the Eucharistic host to be laid on a corporal upon her chest. The host then disappeared, and an image of a cross, like the one on the host, was found on her breast after she passed away on **June 19, 1341**.

When Juliana, of the noble family of the Falconieri, was still in her cradle, her baby lips were heard to utter, without any prompting, the sweet names of Jesus and Mary. Before she was fifteen years old, she renounced a rich inheritance and an earthly wedding and took a solemn vow of virginity in the presence of St. Philip Benizi. She was the first to receive from him the habit of the religious called the Mantellates. When many noble ladies followed her example, and even her mother gave herself over to her daughter to be instructed in the religious life, Juliana founded the Order of the Mantellate Nuns. She excelled in a wonderful humility, a constant zeal for prayer and an amazing abstinence. When her health failed so that she could take and retain no food at all, and was therefore kept from the Eucharistic table, she asked the Priest to place the divine Bread on her breast, since she could not receive it with her mouth. When he did so, the holy Bread disappeared at once, and Juliana, smiling, departed this life.

- **Canonization**: Juliana was canonized by Pope Clement XII on **June 16, 1737**, and her feast day is celebrated on **June 19th**.

Saint Juliana Falconieri's life is a testament to her unwavering faith and her commitment to serving those in need. Her legacy continues to inspire many within the Catholic community and beyond.

(1) Juliana Falconieri - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliana_Falconieri.

(2) St. Juliana Falconieri - Information on the Saint of the Day - Vatican News. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/06/19/st--juliana-falconieri--virgin--foundress-of-the--mantellate.html.

(3) CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Juliana Falconieri - NEW ADVENT. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08556a.htm.

(4) Saint Juliana Falconieri, Virgin - sanctoral.com. https://sanctoral.com/en/saints/saint_juliana_falconieri.html.

(5) Juliana Falconieri | Religion Wiki | Fandom. https://religion.fandom.com/wiki/Juliana_Falconieri.

(6) SAINTS OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST - CATHOLIC TRADITION. http://www.catholictradition.org/Eucharist/saints6-13.htm.