BL. STEPHANA GUINZANI, VIRGIN - 2 JANUARY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY

Saints celebrated on the 2nd of January

WELCOME!

BLESSED STEPHANA GUINZANI, VIRGIN

Blessed Stephana [Stephanie], (commemorated on [January 2 and] January 16) was the daughter of honourable and pious parents from Orzi Nuori, who were called Guinzani [Quinzani]. From an early age she nurtured a love for religious life. With all her soul she desired to love the divine Saviour above all else. When she realised that her beautiful hair could become a temptation to vanity, she cut it off mercilessly. This determined young lady also decided, for the sake of Jesus, to renounce any earthly bridegroom. 

After entering the Dominican Third Order at the age of 15, she began to exercise greater severity, keeping her body in subjection through fasting, night vigils and scourging. Growing into perfect union with God, with frequent tears of penance and love, she meditated on the abundance of ​​Jesus' love for us, especially his bitter suffering. There were some who claimed that Stephana bore the stigmata. On several occasions, she fasted forty days without consuming anything but the Bread of Angels. During this time, she was able to function as usual, serving the poor and sick, and performing other acts of charity. 

In Soncino (Diocese of Cremona) she founded a monastery under the patronage of Saint Paul, which she headed for several years. Stephana died with a reputation for extraordinary holiness in the 63rd year of her life on January 2, 1530. With the approval of Pope Benedict X she is venerated as "Blessed" by the Dominican Order as well as in the dioceses of Cremona and Brescia (Guerin).

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Blessed Stephana 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.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org