January 30 - St. Hyacintha of Mariscotti
Born: March 16, 1585
Died: January 30, 1640
Nationality: Italian
Vocation: Religious of the third order of St. Francis
Canonization: May 14, 1807 by Pope Pius VII
St. Hyacintha of Mariscotti was born to a wealthy and noble family. Growing up, she was known for living a virtuous life, but as she got older, she became enamored with worldly pleasures. She had her heart set on marriage, but after a nobleman passed her over for her younger sister, she entered the convent to save herself from embarrassment.
Even though she entered the convent of the Sisters of St. Francis, she had not abandoned her desire for worldly comfort. She brought her father to her chambers and had him fashion it with luxurious items. She ate meals apart from the other sisters, wore a habit made out of lavish materials, and frequently left for visits.
Hyacintha did not entirely disregard her faith. She remained chaste, devoted herself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, regularly went to confession, and had a consistent prayer life. She continued living this double life for ten years. However, one day she fell seriously ill and her confessor came to her chambers to administer the sacrament, but upon seeing the luxurious life she lived, he rebuked her worldly attachments.
By the grace of God, Hyacintha took this rebuking to heart and had a total conversion. She tied a rope around her neck and approached her sisters, publicly confessing her sins and apologizing for the scandal she had caused.
From that time onward, St. Hyacintha performed intense acts of self-mortification. She disregarded her habit for one that another sister had discarded, she went barefoot everywhere, and frequently fasted to extreme degrees. In her decree of canonization it is recorded that the preservation of her life was a miracle due to the extreme acts she committed. She devoted herself to the suffering Christ. She slept on a bed made of bare boards with a rock as her pillow. She performed many miracles and had the gift of prophecy. During epidemics, she helped minister to the sick and poor. Her acts of penance inspired the other sisters. She died at age 54 and many miracles have been reported at her grave.
St. Hyacintha of Mariscotti, pray for us.