(A.D. 1253.)
[Venerated in Tuscany, especially at S. Geminiani. Authority:--A Life
written by the famous preacher, John de S. Geminiani (1310).]
S. Fina was the daughter of very poor parents at S. Geminiani, in
Tuscany. Her name was probably Seraphina, but it is only known by
its diminutive of endearment, Fina. The young girl was singularly
beautiful, and at the same time exceedingly bashful, ever walking
abroad with her soft dark eyes modestly lowered. Whilst yet young she
was suddenly paralysed through her whole body, with the exception of
her head. For six years she lay on one side upon a hard board, and
would not suffer her mother or the neighbours to make her a soft bed,
desiring rather to be like our Blessed Lord, stretched on His Cross.
The father seems to have been dead, and the poor mother begged for
subsistence for herself and daughter. The girl's skin broke, and formed
terrible sores, but she bore all her sufferings with sweetness. When
left alone, the mice and rats, which infested the miserable hut, would
often come and attack her, and horribly mangle her sores, and the
poor child being paralysed in all her members was unable to protect
herself from them. Yet not a murmur escaped her lips, nor did a cloud
darken the serenity of her temper. She was always gentle, loving, and
considerate of others.
A new misfortune now befel her. Her mother died suddenly whilst
crossing the threshold, on her return from begging, and Fina was left
wholly unprovided for. She was thus left perfectly helpless, to the
mercy of poor neighbours. But their desultory attention was not like
that of a mother, and it soon became evident that she would die through
partial neglect. In the midst of her sufferings she had been comforted
by being told of S. Gregory the Great and his cruel pains, and the
young girl had formed a strong attachment and devotion to him. One
night, as she lay alone, uncared for in her hut, the great pontiff
and doctor of the Church shone out of the darkness by the side of the
pauper cripple, and bade her be of good cheer. "Dear child, on my
festival Christ will give thee rest." And it was so. On the feast of S.
Gregory she died. When the neighbours lifted the poor little body from
the board on which it had lain, lo! that board was covered with white
violets exhaling a delicious perfume, and to this day, at S. Geminiani,
the peasants call these flowers which bloom about the day of her death,
S. Fina's flowers.
[Illustration: PUSILLANIMITY. Symbolic carving at the Abbey of S.
Denis.]
March 13.
S. EUPHRASIA, _V. in Egypt, after_ A.D. 410.
S. MOCHOEMOG, _Ab. of Liathmor, in Ireland, middle of 7th cent._
S. GERALD, _Ab. and B. of Mayo, in Ireland, circ._ A.D. 700.
S. NICEPHORUS, _Patr. of Constantinople_, A.D. 828.
S. ANSEWIN, _B. of Camerino, in Italy, circ._ A.D. 840.
SS. RUDERICK, _P.M._, AND SALOMON, _M. at Cordova_, A.D. 857.
S. ELDRAD, _Ab. of Novalese, in Italy_, A.D. 875.
S. KENNOCHA, _V. in Scotland, circ._ A.D. 1007.
B. ERIC OR HENRICK, _C. at Perugia_, A.D. 1415.