CONTENTS

I. ST. FRANCES OF ROME.

CHAPTER I.

General character of the Saint's life — Her childhood and early piety 1

CHAPTER II.

Francesca's early inclination for the cloister — By her father's desire she marries Lorenzo Ponziano — Her married life — Her illness and miraculous cure 8

CHAPTER III.

Francesca proceeds in her mortifications and works of charity Her supernatural temptations and consolations 18

CHAPTER IV.

The birth of Francesca's first child— Her care in his education — She undertakes the management of her father-in-law's household — A famine and pestilence in Rome — Francesca's labours for the sick and poor— The miracles wrought in her behalf 28

CHAPTER V.

The birth of Francesca's second son — His supernatural gifts — The birth of her daughter — Satanic attacks upon Francesca— Troubles of Rome — Francesca's husband is severely wounded — Her eldest son, when given up as a hostage to the Neapolitans, is miraculously restored to her 37

CHAPTER VI.

Sufferings of Rome from the troops of Ladislas — Death of Francesca's son Evangelista — The famine and plague in Rome — Francesca's labours for the starving and sick — Her miracles 47

CHAPTER VII.

Evangelista appears to his mother — An archangel is assigned to her as a visible guardian throughout her life 59

CHAPTER VIII.

Francesca's illness and recovery — Her vision of hell — Restoration of tranquillity in Rome — Return of Francesca's husband — Her power in converting sinners 64

CHAPTER IX.

Fresh supernatural events in Francesca's history — Her obedience to her husband and to her confessor rewarded by two miracles — Marriage of her son, and ill conduct of his wife — Her conversion through Francesca's prayers — Fresh miracles worked by Francesca 74

CHAPTER X.

Francesca lays the foundation of her future congregation — Her pilgrimage to Assisi 85

CHAPTER XI.

Death of Francesca's friend and director, Don Antonio — Troubles in Rome and Italy foretold by Francesca — Death of Vannozza, Francesca's sister-in-law — Foundation of the Congregation of Oblates of Tor di Specchi 94

CHAPTER XII.

Progress and trials of the young community — It is confirmed by the Pope — Troubles in Rome and the Church terminated through Francesca's intercession and the council of Florence 105

CHAPTER XIII.

Death of Francesca's husband— She goes to reside with the community of Tor di Specchi — Her life as superioress 114

CHAPTER XIV.

Francesca's last illness and death 126

CHAPTER XV.

Francesca's funeral, and her subsequent canonisation 131

II.

Blessed Lucy of Narni 139

III.

Dominica of Paradiso 161

IV.

Anne de Montmorency, the Solitary of the Pyrenees 197