Blessed Jacoba of Settesoli (Italian: ''Giacoma de Settesoli''; 1190–1273? was a follower of the Italian saint

Francis of Assisi Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, better known as Saint Francis of Assisi ( it, Francesco d'Assisi; – 3 October 1226), was a mystic Italian Catholic friar, founder of the Franciscans, and one of the most venerated figures in Christianit ...

. She is also called Jacqueline de Settesoli, or Brother Jacoba, as Francis had named her.

Life

Jacoba dei Settesoli was born in Rome and married into the noble

Frangipani ''Plumeria'' (), known as frangipani, is a genus of flowering plants in the subfamily Rauvolfioideae, of the family Apocynaceae. Most species are deciduous shrubs or small trees. The species variously are endemic to Mexico, Central America, and ...

family. She was a young widow when she heard of the holy man, Francis of Assisi. Desiring to meet the penitent in order to seek his spiritual advice, she got her wish when Francis and his small band came to Rome to obtain papal approval of the Franciscan Rule of life.Foley O.F.M., Leonard. ''Saint of the Day, Lives, Lessons, and Feast'', (revised by Pat McCloskey O.F..M.), Franciscan Media
Having heard Francis preach, she sought his guidance on how to be charitable. Francis advised her not to abandon her family, so she joined the

Third Order of Saint Francis The Third Order of Saint Francis is a third order in the Franciscan tradition of Christianity, founded by the medieval Catholic Church in Italy, Italian Catholic friar Francis of Assisi. The preaching of Francis and his disciples caused many ma ...

, turning administration of the affairs over to her two sons. She spent the rest of her life in the practice of good works. When he travelled to Rome, Francis would stay as her guest. She gave some of her family's property in

Trastevere Trastevere () is the 13th ''rione'' of Rome: it is identified by the initials R. XIII and it is located within Municipio I. Its name comes from Latin ''trans Tiberim'', literally 'beyond the Tiber'. Its coat of arms depicts a golden head of a lio ...

, Rome to Francis and the brothers to use as a hospice for lepers and she provided for their needs. Francis and Lady Jacoba became friends. At his request, she was present with him at his death. As Francis lay dying, he wanted to taste once more his favorite almond treat and asked “Brother” Jacoba to bring him some. Even before word had reached her, she had already prepared the almond pastries for Francis. The arrival of Lady Jacoba, who had come with her two sons and a great retinue to bid Francis farewell, caused some consternation, since women were forbidden to enter the friary. But Francis in gratitude to this Roman noblewoman, made an exception, and “Brother Jacoba”, as Francis had named her on account of her fortitude, remained to the last. Francis died on the evening of Saturday, 3 October 1226.Robinson, Paschal. "St. Francis of Assisi." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 14 Apr. 2013
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The date of her death in Assisi may be February 8, 1239, although some believed she lived until 1273?. She was buried in the Lower Church of the Basilica of Saint Francis, but in 1933 was re-interred in the crypt of the

Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi ( it, Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi; la, Basilica Sancti Francisci Assisiensis) is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Order of Friars Minor Conventual in Assisi, a town in the Umbria region in ce ...

, near those of Francis. Her

feast day The calendar of saints is the traditional Christian method of organizing a liturgical year by associating each day with one or more saints and referring to the day as the feast day or feast of said saint. The word "feast" in this context d ...

is 8 February.

Legacy

There is a tradition among Franciscan communities to commemorate the ''Transitus'' (i.e. "passing" or death) of St. Francis. In some, there has developed the custom of distributing small almond confections (cookies, scones, etc.), recalling Bl. Jacoba's attendance at his death.''The Poverello'', Vol. 67, No. 9, September, 2007. St. Bonaventure Third Order Fraternity, Detroit Michigan.

References

External links

Sister Adrianna. "Franciscanized Lady Jacoba Almond Cookies", Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, 18 October 2012Brothers and Sisters of Penance of St Francis FAQ
(lists Jacoba at the end) {{Authority control 1190 births 1239 deaths Italian beatified people 13th-century Italian Roman Catholic religious sisters and nuns Members of the Third Order of Saint Francis 13th-century venerated Christians