Though she had entered the convent, St. Hyacinth had no intention of living as a nun. The story of her conversion is a lesson in prayer and grace.

She was born in 1585 in Italy to a family of Italian nobles. She was a troublesome child, frivolous and overly superficial, so her parents placed her in a Franciscan monastery for her education.

She had her heart set on marriage with an Italian noble, but was passed over for a younger sister, and she became severely depressed. She decided to join the community at the monastery, and took on the name Sister Hyacintha. Secretly, she did this only to hide her disappointment, not to enter into the life of prayer and sacrifice of the nuns there.

She remained there as a nun for ten years, but had no real enthusiasm for life as a nun. In fact, she refused the fasting and mortifications that others in her community committed to, and even used her personal wealth to bring comforts and luxuries to her room. She kept a kitchen in her room so she could prepare her own meals and wore a habit of the finest material. She received visitors and came and went as she pleased.

Still, while she remained ambiguous about her vows, she was faithful to a regular life of personal prayer. Finally, she was touched by God’s grace and inspired to give herself to the life that she had found herself in.

One day, she fell very sick, and her confessor brought Communion to her in her room. When he discovered the way she was living, he earnestly encouraged her to live more humbly.

She took his advice seriously and made a public confession of her faults to the other nuns. She discarded her luxurious garments and wore an old habit and went about barefoot. She frequently fasted, volunteered for the most menial tasks in the convent, and replaced her bed with bare boards. Her spirituality and devotion began to focus on Mary, the sufferings of Christ, and the Eucharist.

By her example, she became an inspiration to sisters in her community and an excellent mentor for young novices. She soon became known for the gifts of prophecy and for working miracles. Her prayer life was set aflame and she was consumed with love of God. During an epidemic in the area, she heroically cared for the sick, and she established organizations that helped the poor, the aged who were too sick to beg, and the imprisoned.

When she died in 1640, great crowds gathered for her funeral. Her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.

St. Hyacinth, you were the nun who lived a secret life of luxury until you were touched by God’s grace, pray for us!