Blessed Antonia of Florence entered the convent after her husband died, and though she gave the example of an undeniably holy life to others, she was not immune to the problems of family discord.

She was born in 1401 in Florence, Italy, and married at a young age. Her husband died in 1428, after they had one child, and she refused to be convinced to marry again. She felt a call to dedicate her life to God through prayer.

She entered a Franciscan community, and gave such a good example of religious life that she was given leadership roles and transferred to several different convents. Eventually, she came to lead her own convent, where she was able to form a community that adhered to a strict rule of poverty in imitation of St. Clare. Soon more than 100 women joined the community.

Antonia is said to have had remarkable patience and humility. For more than 15 years, she bore without complaint a very painful illness. Though she served as founder and abbess, she sought out the most menial and disagreeable tasks; she wore the most worn-out clothes and set aside all honors and distinctions. Above all, like St. Francis, she loved poverty—she even called it “Queen of the House.”

She saw her share of troubles: when her son grew up, he squandered his inheritance, and used to bring other relatives to the convent to bother Antonia with their conflicts and disputes. She also bore several trials in her prayer life and turbulence in the leadership of the Franciscan order in the region.

At times, during her prayer, she seemed to levitate. Other times, she was noted to be in a kind of ecstasy, and some observed light to emit from her head that brightened the whole room.

She died at the age of 71 on this date in 1472. Her body remains in Aquila, and is said to be in an state of incorruption; a number of miracles were reported at her tomb. On non-leap years, her feast is held on Feb. 28.

Blessed Antonia of Florence, you knew the trouble of family problems and led others in the search for holiness—pray for us!