Build Your E-Card
 Thank you for your selection - use the form below to build your card

<< go back to the start 

 

Blessed Baptista Varano, 1459 - 1517
 Baptista was born in Camerino, Italy the daughter of Duke Julius Caesar. From the very beginning she was dressed in costly garments and beautiful jewels which she dearly loved. Then one day she heard a vibrant sermon from a Franciscan on the terrible sufferings of Jesus which he had undergone for love of souls. Struck to the heart, she resolved to completely give herself to this great love. Overnight she became a changed person, no longer absorbed in her looks and beauty - she turned now to constant meditations on God's great love and sacrifice to save all his children. Firmly she made up her mind, she too would love and make great sacrifices.

Under the guidance of the Franciscan, Blessed Peter of Mogliano she practiced various mortifications, and each night she would rise to pray the rosary, her heart meditating on each mystery with great fervency. Her father wanted her to be married - but the only desire of Baptista's heart was to enter a monastery. For two years her father was firmly against this but finally, he consented and she entered the Poor Clares at Urbino.

"Oh, what sweetness I experienced in the holy convent of Urbino," she often said. Then after some years there was an urgent request that a monastery of Poor Clares be started in Camerino. Her father built a convent for them and Baptista went with several of her sisters to begin this new foundation. Now became the period of great suffering for her. She became very sick and her body was racked with terrible pains. Added to this was violent interior struggles and persecution by various people. But no matter what came her way, she would be filled with thanksgiving for God's great love for her, and knew he was only drawing her closer to himself. One day she received the terrible news that her father and brother were cruelly murdered. Overcome with anguish, nevertheless she begged God for mercy for those who had committed this hideous crime: "O Lord, do not hold this sin against them!"

Because of her great love and her complete faithfulness in suffering for souls, many graces were poured upon her. Jesus appeared to her and showed her what great suffering his own Heart had undergone. He had her record much of this for the benefit of others. For forty years Baptista was a living witness of God's great love and mercy. She died on the 31st of May in 1517. She was venerated immediately as a saint by the people, and soon after Pope Gregory the XVI declared her Blessed. Her tongue from which she had prayed so fervently for God's children was found incorrupt and is still preserved today in a special reliquary.
Text & Image by Sister Patricia Proctor, osc


 
If you would like to use our address book facility then click here to register or here to log in
To customise your card use the options below. A preview of your card will show in real time below.
None Selected
Music

If you would like music to play whilst the e-card is being read then choose an option from the menu above.
Poem

If you choose a poem to be included with your card then choose the appropriate title from above. The poem will show in your e-card below your personal message.
Background Color
Your Message
None Selected
Who would you like to send this card to?
Your Name
Your E-Mail
Delivery Date Pick a date
Notification? Would like to be emailed when the card is received?
Friend's Name
Friend's E-Mail
Alternate sending options

 
Poor Clare Sisters - 4419 N. Hawthorne Street, Spokane, WA 99205 (509) 327-4479