Giulia della Rena
Giulia della Rena (1319 – 9 January 1367) was an Italian Roman Catholic professed member of the Order of Saint Augustine in its third order branch.[1] Della Rena was orphaned sometime in her late childhood and sought work as a maid in Florence where she soon became a member of the Augustinian tertiaries. The religious then returned to Certaldo due to the negative Florentine economic and political climate where she became best known for rescuing a child from a burning building.[2][3]
Giulia della Rena | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1319 Certaldo, Republic of Florence |
| Died | 9 January 1367 Certaldo, Republic of Florence |
| Resting place | Santi Jacopo e Filippo, Certaldo |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 18 May 1819, Saint Peter's Basilica by Pope Pius VII |
| Major shrine | Santi Jacopo e Filippo, Certaldo |
| Feast | 9 January, 15 February (Augustinians) |
Life
Giulia della Rena was born to impoverished nobles (whose status began to wane) in Certaldo sometime in 1319.[1][2] She was orphaned of both her parents sometime in her childhood.[3]
Della Rena sought work outside of her hometown and became a maid to the Timolfi household in Florence. It was there that she became a professed member of the Order of Saint Augustine in its third order branch in 1338 at their church of the Holy Spirit while also receiving the habit.[4] But the tumult in Florence caused her to return home to Certaldo where she rescued a child from a burning building in a move that brought her unwanted fame and attention.[1] She then retired to live the remainder of her life as an anchoress in a small cell that was built to the church of Santi Jacopo e Filippo.[3] She had little in her small cell save for a little window and a Crucifix.[3]
Della Rena died at the beginning of 1367.[4] Her remains were interred in the church of Santi Jacopo e Filippo and were moved to its altar in 1372.[2]
Beatification
The 1819 confirmation of her local "cultus" (or popular devotion) – which began almost right after she died – allowed for Pope Pius VII to approve her beatification.[4]
References
- "Blessed Julia of Certaldo". Saints SQPN. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- "Blessed Giulia della Rena from Certaldo". Santi e Beati. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- "Blessed Julia of Certaldo". Midwest Augustinians. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- "Blessed Julia of Certaldo". Province of St. Augustine. 15 February 2000. Archived from the original on 2017-02-18. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
