Description
Oil dedicated to St Juliana of Falconieri
The Oil dedicated to St Juliana of Falconieri is dedicated to the Italian saint, the patron for sick children.
Juliana Falconieri was born of wealthy Florentine family in 1270. When she was very young her father died, and thus she was raised by mother and an uncle named Alexis who was one of the founders of the Servites. At the age of fifteen Juliana refused her family’s plan for marriage. She became a Servite Tertiary a year later, although she continued to live at home until 1304 when her mother died. Immediately thereafter Juliana gathered together a group of women dedicated to prayer and good works. Later she drew up a rule of life and was appointed superioress of the group. Since her rule was approved by Pope Martin V one hundred and twenty years later, she is considered to be the foundress of the Servite nuns. She died in 1341 at the age of seventy-one and was canonized by Pope Clement XII in 1737.
Tradition of oils
The tradition of anointing with sacred oil is very old indeed. It is used in sacraments and also as a devotional practice. The sick person applies the oil and blesses themselves. As they do so, they are asked to pray to whomever the oil is dedicated to. The Irish blessings oils do not have miraculous power. It is God who has the power to heal. Applying the oil while praying are important ways for us to express our faith in God’s power. Moreover, by doing so we place our trust in God.
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