Our Patron Saint / 

Nuestra Patrona

St. Mary Frances of the Five Wounds was chosen as the name of our unified parish not merely to join two familiar names, but also to reflect key attributes of our two patron saints, St. Frances of Rome and St. Mary of Celle.

St. Mary Frances of the Five Wounds, born Anna Maria Gallo in 1715, was—like St. Frances of Rome—a deeply spiritual lay woman who never took formal vows, but instead combined a life of prayer with service to the poor.  The "five wounds" refer to the stigmata:  During her life, Mary Frances exhibited external marks of the five wounds inflicted on Jesus during his crucifixion. 

Mary Frances chose her name to express her devotion to St. Francis of Assisi and to the Blessed Mother — who is, of course, St. Mary of Celle. When St. Mary Frances was canonized in 1843, Pope Pius IX declared her to be a patroness of expectant mothers and of women having difficulty conceiving. This is particularly fitting, as caring for expectant mothers is a special ministry at the St. Mary of Celle-Maryville Home, and is also the mission of Aid for Women, located on the St. Frances of Rome campus.

                                                                   
                                                                   Artist, NeilsonCarlin @2022 

St. Mary Frances of the Five Wounds

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