BLESSED JULIA CERTALDINA, ANCHORESS - 9 APRIL

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN APRIL

Saints celebrated on the 9th of April

BLESSED JULIA CERTALDINA, ANCHORESS

Born at the beginning of the 14th century of respectable parents in Certaldo in Tuscany, Julia soon developed a great disgust for the world and its vanities. 

In order to be able to lead a humble, low-profile life regardless of her noble birth, she became a domestic maid in Florence. But she discovered that waiting on her employer, who called himself Tinolfi, prevented her from serving God. Therefore Julia then donned the habit of St Augustine instead, which was the outfit of the anchoresses in those days, and returned to Certaldo. On the journey she rescued a child from flames and and restored him to his parents safe and sound. Upon her arrival in Certaldo she locked herself in a small cell near the sacristy of St Michael's parish church, where she spent 30 years in penance and mortification. 

Serving her God in solitude, she was entirely unconcerned with food, and the morsels of bread which children used to give her as they passed her cell made up her living. 

According to Migne*, who mentions Julia on December 20, she died on April 9, 1367. When the clergy and people came to her cell, they found her dead on her knees, emitting the sweetest smell. Even after her death, God worked several miracles upon her intercession, and since that time she has been invoked as intercessor by her fellow citizens in need. The Martyrology for the Augustinian hermits mentions her on February 25 and January 9 is indicated as the date of her death. 

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 3, Augsburg, 1869)

*A hagiography source used by the authors 

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of the blessed Julia may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.