Juliana Falconieri

Who they were

Juliana Falconieri, a beautiful girl of a rich Florentine merchant family in Dante's time, was the niece of St Alexis Falconieri, one of the seven founders of the Servites. Refusing every offer of marriage, she took a dark cloak like her uncle's, and other young women of the city followed her to serve the poor: the 'Mantellate', the women's branch of the Servants of Mary.

They lived in contemplation and charity, fasting twice a week, and were peacemakers in a city torn by feuds. Long ill with her stomach, at the end she could not swallow the Host, and asked that it be laid on her breast; it disappeared, and when she died the sisters found a mark the size of the Host over her heart.

The miracles

The story of her last Communion is told by tradition; the Mantellate still wear its sign on their habit. The miracles examined for her canonisation are not described in the sources we have used.

Why that counted as sanctity

Juliana chose Christ and the poor over wealth and admiration, and made her sisters a force for peace in a city of hatred.

Connected on this site

• Alexis Falconieri Saint Relative
  “Juliana Falconieri, a beautiful girl of a rich Florentine merchant family in Dante's time, was the niece of St Alexis Falconieri, one of the seven founders of the Servites.” — this site's research
• Giovanna Soderini Blessed Pupil