St.Frances of Rome was an aristocrat by birth, her parents were Paul Bussa and Jacobella de’ Roffredeschi. Married at age twelve to Lorenzo de’ Ponziani; her marriage lasted 40 years.

She was a Benedictine. Foundress of the Oblates of the Tor de’ Specchi (Collatines). She is said to have been guided by an archangel only she could see. She spent her life and fortune, both as laywoman and religious, in the service of the sick and the poor, including the founding of the first home in Rome for abandoned children.

On her feast day today priests bless cars due to her patronage of cars and drivers. Frances certainly never drove, but legend says that when she went abroad at night, her guardian angel went before her lighting the road with a headlight-like lantern, keeping her safe in her travels.