June 20 - Blessed Michelina

JUNE 20
BLESSED MICHELINA

Michelina was born in 1300, in Pesaro, Italy. Her family was wealthy and she married a rich man. Michelina was a happy person by nature. She seemed always like she did not have a problem in the world. But when she was just twenty, her husband died. All of a sudden, Michelina found herself alone with a little son to raise.

The young mother seemed anxious to find happiness in the things around her. Her life became a stream of parties and fun and fancy meals. She couldn't seem to have enough of the good things that life offered. After a while, she realized that she had to be with her child more. She also had to be accountable for how she used her money and time. She felt so empty inside. Michelina finally settled down and became a responsible adult.

A holy Franciscan lay woman lived in Pesaro. Her name was Syriaca. Syriaca realized that Michelina was really a wonderful person who needed direction and help to be more spiritual. Syriaca and Michelina became friends and the holy woman greatly influenced her. Michelina became prayerful. She took care of her child and home with diligence. She spent her free time serving the poor and needy. She visited the lonely and took care of those too sick or too old to look after themselves. Eventually, she became a lay Francis-can. At first, her relatives were concerned when she gave away her fancy clothes and started to eat plain food. But after a while, they became convinced that Michelina was truly a spiritual woman.
Michelina lived her whole life in the same house in Pesaro.

She died in 1356 at the age of fifty-six. In her memory, the people of her town kept a lamp always lit in her home. In 1590, Blessed Michelina's house was made into a church.