Saint Humility
Encyclopedia
Saint Humility (c. 1226 – May 22, 1310) was a founder of Vallumbrosan convent
s, and considered the founder of the Vallumbrosan Nuns.
Born Rosanna Negusanti to a noble family from Faenza
, she was married at the age of fifteen to a nobleman named Ugoletto (Ugonotto) dei Caccianemici (d. 1256). She bore two children, both of whom died in infancy. In 1250, Ugoletto became a monk
upon recovering from an illness that nearly killed him. Rosanna entered the same double monastery
of canonesses named Saint Perpetua, near Faenza, becoming a nun
and taking the name Humilitas.
She became an anchoress
in a cell attached to the Vallumbrosan church of Saint Apollinaris in Faenza, where she lived as a hermit or recluse for twelve years.
However, at the request of the abbot-general she founded a monastery outside Faenza and became its abbess. Blessed Margherita became one of her disciples.
In 1282 she founded a second convent at Florence
, where she died in 1310 of natural causes. She left a number of mystical writings.
She was canonized on January 27, 1720 by Pope Clement XI
.
Her feast day is celebrated on May 22.
The relics of Humility and her disciple Margherita are venerated at the convent of Spirito Santo at Varlungo near Florence.
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
s, and considered the founder of the Vallumbrosan Nuns.
Born Rosanna Negusanti to a noble family from Faenza
Faenza
Faenza is an Italian city and comune, in the province of Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, situated 50 km southeast of Bologna.Faenza is noted for its manufacture of majolica ware glazed earthenware pottery, known from the name of the town as "faience"....
, she was married at the age of fifteen to a nobleman named Ugoletto (Ugonotto) dei Caccianemici (d. 1256). She bore two children, both of whom died in infancy. In 1250, Ugoletto became a monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
upon recovering from an illness that nearly killed him. Rosanna entered the same double monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
of canonesses named Saint Perpetua, near Faenza, becoming a nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
and taking the name Humilitas.
She became an anchoress
Anchorite
Anchorite denotes someone who, for religious reasons, withdraws from secular society so as to be able to lead an intensely prayer-oriented, ascetic, and—circumstances permitting—Eucharist-focused life...
in a cell attached to the Vallumbrosan church of Saint Apollinaris in Faenza, where she lived as a hermit or recluse for twelve years.
However, at the request of the abbot-general she founded a monastery outside Faenza and became its abbess. Blessed Margherita became one of her disciples.
In 1282 she founded a second convent at Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, where she died in 1310 of natural causes. She left a number of mystical writings.
She was canonized on January 27, 1720 by Pope Clement XI
Pope Clement XI
Pope Clement XI , born Giovanni Francesco Albani, was Pope from 1700 until his death in 1721.-Early life:...
.
Her feast day is celebrated on May 22.
The relics of Humility and her disciple Margherita are venerated at the convent of Spirito Santo at Varlungo near Florence.