Juliana Falconieri

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Saint Juliana Falconieri (1270- June 12, 1341) was the Italian foundress of the Servite Third Order.

Juliana belonged to the noble Florentine family of Falconieri. Her uncle, Alexis Falconieri, was one of the seven founders of the Servite Order. Under his influence, she decided at a young age to follow the religious life. After her father's death, she received c. 1385 the habit of the Third Order of the Servites, from Philip Benitius, then General of that order. She remained at home following the rule Benitius had given her until her mother's death, when Juliana and several companions moved into a house of their own in 1305. This became the first convent of the Sisters of the Third Order of Servites; Juliana would serve as the superior until the end of her life.

The Servites' dress consisted of a black gown, secured by a leather girdle, and a white veil. Because the gown had short sleeves to facilitate work, people called the sisters of the new order Mantellate.

The sisters devoted themselves especially to the care of the sick and other works of mercy. Juliana directed the community of Servite Tertiaries for thirty-five years.

An extraordinary occurrence, mentioned in the oratio of her feast day, is claimed to have occurred at Juliana's death. She was unable to receive Communion because of constant vomiting, so she requested the priest to spread a corporal upon her chest and lay the Host on it. Shortly thereafter, the Host disappeared and Juliana died. The image of a cross, just like the one on the Host, was found on her breast. Immediately after her death she was honored as a saint.

The Order of Servite Tertiaries was sanctioned by Pope Martin V in 1420. Pope Benedict XIII granted the Servites permission to celebrate the Feast of St. Juliana. Pope Clement XII canonized her in 1737, and extended the celebration of her feast on 19 June to the entire Church. St. Juliana is usually represented in the habit of her order with a Host upon her breast.

This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.