Saint Maria Francesca of the Five Wounds is the first canonized woman from Southern Italy and is a co-patron saint of Naples. Her very troubled life clearly reveals the presence of a providence that turns everything toward good. Having lived in the 18th century, she still has much to say to the men and women of today. Let us learn more about her.

Maria Francesca of the “Five Wounds”: why this name?

Maria Francesca of the Five Wounds (born Anna Maria Rosa Nicoletta Gallo) took this name on the day she donned the habit of an Alcantarine Franciscan tertiary. The name reflected the Saint’s deep love and special devotion to the Passion of Jesus, the Madonna, and Saint Francis. Like the Saint of Assisi, Maria Francesca also received the stigmata, and every Friday and throughout Lent she felt the pains of Jesus’ Passion. During the last three days of Holy Week, she ate nothing. She went around the churches visiting the Sepulchres, suffering and bent as if weighed down by a great burden. On Easter Day, all her suffering suddenly disappeared, and, happy, she busied herself preparing the chapel to take part in the triumph of Jesus.

Miracles and extraordinary events

From an early age, Saint Maria Francesca of the Five Wounds was fascinated by devotion to the Passion of Christ, and alongside this she venerated the Nativity. Everyone who knew her recounted the miracle of the statuette of the Child Jesus, which suddenly came to life so that the Saint could dress it.
Other extraordinary events occurred while she was still alive; people considered them genuine miracles. Maria Francesca also had prophetic gifts and, according to testimonies, predicted many events to priests and people of faith who turned to her for advice and guidance. She is said to have predicted sainthood to Francesco Maria Bianchi. Many years in advance, she also predicted the event of the French Revolution.

Her spirituality

The spirituality of Maria Francesca was characterized by deep humility, penance, and charity toward the poor. She had turned her home in the Spanish Quarters into a haven of charity and prayer; she welcomed the poor and the sick, desperate people plagued by doubts; a contemplative woman of action, she was drawn to the beauty of Jesus’ face, which she saw reflected in the poor who had no country, no home, and no food.

They come to Naples from every part of the world

On that same street, Saint Maria Francesca still continues to do good for everyone who passes by. In the shrine dedicated to her, she continues to listen to everyone and intercede for them with God. In particular, Maria Francesca is the “Saint of motherhood,” and very many women turn to her to ask for the grace of becoming mothers. They come to Naples from every part of the world. They line up to sit on the chair where the Saint spent her life praying and embroidering.

But it is not only young brides who are expecting a child or wish to have one who come; mothers and fathers also arrive seeking the Saint’s intercession for their children, asking God for healing from an illness, a job, or help with other needs. Great faith is required; this is not a propitiatory ritual. The greatest influx of the faithful occurs during the first week of October. Many graces have been obtained through the Saint’s intercession; the walls of the small room where her statue is located are covered with pink and blue ribbons and bibs.
In Naples Cathedral there is a chapel dedicated to her, beloved especially by the people because she came from them and gave herself entirely for them until her final breath.

A source of inspiration for the men and women of today

Maria Francesca of the Five Wounds accepted conforming her life to the Crucified Christ, and from this sacrifice born of love came her victory: a new humanity that still attracts, consoles, and protects today. To the men and women of today, she teaches them to view the world contemplatively, even while immersed in a thousand daily occupations.
The life of Maria Francesca of the Five Wounds was extraordinary and well worth exploring. Perhaps it will also awaken in us the desire to visit the places associated with her. The Saint teaches us that, despite the difficulties we may encounter in life, there is a wonderful plan of God that wants us to be joyful announcers of hope. Let us all set out with her along the roads of the world, joyfully bringing, as she did, the message of the Gospel.