May 28th: Saint Ubaldesca

Virgin of the Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta

Memorial

She was born in 1136 at Calcinia, near Pisa (Italy). At the age of fifteen, she joined the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, and worked for fifty-five years in the infirmary attached to the monastery at Pisa, caring for her neighbor out of love for God.

She died on May 28, 1206. Her body was taken back to Calcinia where it is now enshrined. Not only honored among the saints and blessed of The Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, She is celebrated also as a patroness of the City of Pisa.

Collect

O God, pride of the humble and lover of virginity, you called Saint Ubaldesca to the religious life in the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem: Grant that through her prayers and example we may rejoice in being humble and follow you with pure minds. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

This information was provided by Fra’ James-Michael von Stroebel. Click here to view the complete Calendar of Liturgical Celebrations Proper to the Order.