Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

The friends of St. Francis included not only the Brothers called the Friars Minor, but also the Poor Ladies who eventually became the Poor Clares, and many, many lay people who also committed themselves to the Gospel life in their regular daily existence in the world. One of those lay people is celebrated this week: Blessed Jacoba de Settesoli. Jacoba is a model of how we can live out the Gospel in our secular world. She was a widow who still had dependent children when she met Francis. He said to her, “A perfect life can be lived anywhere. Poverty is everywhere. Charity is everywhere.” She continued to live her life with her family but focused on charitable works.

They had a wonderful friendship. When Francis was dying, he asked the Brothers to send for Lady Jacoba, who lived in Rome. She had already left to go to Assisi, having felt a call to be there with him. She brought a shroud for his burial and special almond cookies that Francis loved. The Brothers were hesitant to bring her into the friary, but Francis said she should come in and he called her “Brother Jacoba.” She was by his side at his death. After her death, she was buried near his tomb, where you can see her marker inside the Basilica of St. Francis.

Like Blessed Jacoba, we can find our best means of supporting charity while in our day-to-day lives. We can support those in need, as the Core Values of Felician Village call us to do. Just last week the Mission Office sent packages of hygiene products to our sister ministry in Los Angeles, St. Anne Family Services. They are a Felician ministry that serves those in need. They are especially seeking support at this time because of the fires in Los Angeles and the many who have lost housing and jobs. Every bit helps. Blessed Jacoba models for us the way to offer service to God’s people who most need our assistance.

Blessed Angela: “Before each activity say, ‘May this be for your glory, O Lord."