Saint Frances of Rome

March 9th is the feast of Frances of Rome. Frances is a patroness of widows. She knew grief early when two of her six children died very young and her grief made her a woman of compassion. When her husband died she dedicated her life to helping the needy as a Benedictine Oblate and was superior of a community of women who gathered around her to pray and care for the poor and all in need. May she help us to know how to comfort others in their grief.