Virginia Centurione Bracelli

Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli

memorial
15 December

Profile

Our Saint for today was the young daughter of a overbearing father who eventually became the Doge (like a king) of Genoa. My mother’s family comes from Genoa, I love their salami and polenta so it was a natural fit for today. Her mother was a pious person and Virginia felt a call to the religious life at an early age…but her position as the “Dogearincess” of Genoa made her a valuable political pawn. At the tender young age of 15 her father arranged a marriage to an influential fellow who was also a drinker, and a gambler. They had two daughters. Her husband proved to be not much of a father or a husband, big shock there right? After only 5 years of marriage Virginia was widowed probably because of her husband’s dissolute lifestyle; she was only 20 years old…with 2 small children.

Virginia cared for her children, and dedicated her free time to prayer and charity. Once her daughters were married, our saint dedicated her life to charity full time, caring for the sick, aged, and abandoned children. War in the region led to many orphans, and refugees Virginia turned her house into a safe place and eventually a hospital. The refuge grew as wars, plague and all the rest swept over Genoa. Virginia worked closely with the young in her care to make sure they could become self-sufficient, particularly young women. Soon the government helped out with some support for the hospital.

When Virginia retired she still worked as a humble sister, doing chores on the grounds and begging for alms for the Institute. Eventually she was called back to administer the joint when it continued to grow and get away from the folk in charge, they needed her genius, spirit and spark to keep the place going. She was more importantly a spiritual sparkplug for the region; negotiating peace between warring families, encouraging devotions and prayer, and patronage for Genoa to our Blessed Mother. Toward the end of her days Virginia began to have visions.

Born
2 April 1587 in Genoa, Italy

Died
15 December 1651 in Genoa, Italy of natural causes