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Also known as:
Francisca de Amboise
Memorial: 4 November
Profile
Daughter of Louis d'Amboise, Viscount de Thouars, she grew up in the
courts of Brittany. Duchess of Brittany, being married to Peter II, Duke
of Britanny at age 15; she was betrothed to him at age four. It was not a
happy marriage, and Peter sometimes abused her, but Frances softened Peter
over the years, and he assisted in her charitable work. Established a Poor
Clare convent at Nantes. Worked for the canonization of Saint Vincent
Ferrer. Supported the Dominican convent at Nantes. Widowed in 1457, she
devoted herself to religious life. Joined the Carmelite nuns at Bondon on
25 March 1468, making her final vows in 1469. Spiritual student of Blessed
John Soreth. Worked in the infirmary for a while, and was elected prioress
for life in 1473. Considered the foundress of the Carmelite nuns in
France.
Born: 1427 in France
Died: 4 November 1485 at Nantes, France of natural causes while in a
religious ecstasy; miracles reported at her tomb; her body had to be moved
to save it during the Huguenot wars, and again in the French Revolution
Beatified: 16 July 1863 by Pope Pius IX
Canonized: pending |
