CIRER CARBONNEL, FRANCINAINA, BL.

Known in religion as Francinaina de los Dolores de María, also known as Francinaina de Sencelles, foundress of the Sisters of Charity; b. Sencelles, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain, June 1, 1781; d. Sencelles, Mallorca, Feb. 27, 1855. When Cirer's wealthy family refused her permission to become a nun, she led a life of poverty, consecration to prayer, and obedience to the will of God as a lay woman. Even after the deaths of all her family members, she remained in her home, caring for the sick, engaging in spiritual exercises, and offering her possessions for the work of her parish and the relief of the poor. Nevertheless her holiness drew others to her. On Dec. 23, 1850 at age 70, she provided her home and the funds to found the Sisters of Charity in Sencelles. She pronounced her vows with two companions on Dec. 7, 1951 and continued her works of charity and evangelization until her death. Today her tomb in the Sisters of Charity convent in Sencelles is a place of pilgrimage. Pope John Paul II declared Francinaina venerable in 1983 and beatified her, Oct. 1, 1989.

Feast: Feb. 27.

Bibliography: j. llabrÉs i martorell, La beata Francinaina de Sencelles (Mallorca 1989, 2d ed. Mallorca 1990). b. c. llull, Francisca Ana Cirer. Una vida evangélica (Mallorca 1971). b. oliver, Sor Francina-Aina dels Dolors (La Tia Xiroia de Sencelles) (Mallorca 1970). t. suau puig, Sor Francinaina Cirer, una vida para los demas (Mallorca 1992). Acta Apostolicae Sedis (1989): 1030.

[k. i. rabenstein]