Saint Juliana Falconieri

Juliana Falconieri, O.S.M., (1270 – 19 June 1341) was the Italian foundress of the Religious Sisters of the Third Order of Servites (Mantellate Sisters or the Servite Tertiaries). Juliana belonged to the noble Falconieri family of Florence. Her parents had funded the construction of Santissima Annunziata, Florence, the mother church of the Servite Order. Her uncle, Alexis Falconieri, was one of the seven founders. Under his influence, she decided at a young age to follow the consecrated life. After her father's death, she received c. 1285 the habit of the Third Order of the Servites from Philip Benizi, then Prior General of that Order. She remained at home following the rule Benizi had given her until her mother's death, when Juliana and several companions moved into a house of their own in 1305. This became the first convent of the Sisters of the Third Order of Servites. Juliana would serve as Superior until the end of her life. The Servites' dress consisted of a black gown, secured by a leather girdle, and a white veil. Because the gown had short sleeves to facilitate work, people called the sisters of the new Order "Mantellate." It is said that "she would often fall in to long moments and hours of ecstacy... She was daily caring for the sick in the streets, homes, and in hospitals..." Juliana directed the community of Servite Tertiaries for 35 years and was more of a servant to her subordinates than a mistress. The sisters main devotion was to Our Lady of Sorrows and their main activity was caring for the sick. A putative miracle mentioned in the liturgical texts for her feast day, is said to have occurred at Juliana's death. At this time, unable to receive Holy Communion because of constant vomiting, she requested the priest to spread a corporal upon her chest and lay the Eucharistic host on it. Shortly after, the host disappeared. Juliana died on 19 June 1341. The image of a cross, just like the one on the host, was found on her breast.