Michelina of Pesaro

Michelina of Pesaro, (1300 – 1356) was an Italian Roman Catholic Franciscan tertiary who was later beatified.

Bl. Michelina of Pesaro, T.O.S.F.
Michelina of Pesaro by Federico Barocci
Born1300
Pesaro, Urbino, Italy
Died19 June 1356(1356-06-19) (aged 55–56)
Pesaro, Urbino, Italy
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Beatified13 April 1737 by Pope Clement XII
FeastJune 20
AttributesWidow, Pilgrim and Franciscan tertiary
Patronagewidows; against mental illness; against death of children

Biography

Michelina Metelli was born in Farneto, Pesaro, Italy, to a wealthy Italian family. She married into the noble Malatesta family at the age of 12 and was widowed by age 20. She led a lifestyle of parties and luxury but, after the death of her only son, she experienced a vision of him in heaven, and decided to become a Franciscan penitent.

She proceeded to give away all her belongings and property, and founded the Confraternity of the Annunciation to care for the poor, nurse the sick and bury the dead. Initially her family believed her to be insane and had her locked up. Upon her release from confinement, she made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land as penance for her sins. It is believed that she received the Stigmata in the course of this journey.

Michelina died at her home in Pesaro on 19 June 1356 of natural causes.

Beatification

She was beatified on 13 April 1737 by Pope Clement XII.

References


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