Description

Oil Dedicated to St Lucy Filippini

The St Lucy Filippini is dedicated to the saint from Corneto-Tarquinia. Lucy was the fifth and youngest child. Sadly she became an orphan at an early age. Consequently, at the age of six, she went to live with her aristocratic aunt and uncle. Most noteworthy they encouraged her religious inclination by entrusting her education to the Benedictine nuns at Santa Lucia.

Her career began under the patronage of Cardinal Marcantonio Barbarigo. With his support, Lucy founded several schools for young women, especially the poor. Also with Rose Venerini to train school teachers, she co-founded the Pious Teachers, a group dedicated to the education of girls. The young ladies of Montefuscione were taught domestic arts, weaving, embroidering, reading, and Christian doctrine. Twelve years later the Cardinal created a set of rules to guide Lucy and her followers in the religious life. Fifty-two schools were established during Lucy’s lifetime. Pope Clement XI, in 1707, called Lucy to Rome to start schools that he placed under his special protection. She died of breast cancer in 1732, aged 60, at Montefiascone.

Veneration
Lucy Filippini was canonized on 22 June 1930. Her statue can be seen in the south nave of St. Peter’s Basilica. Her feast day is March 25.