Saint’s Life Story

Her Early Life

We do not know when Castora was born or in what town she was born (although most likely in Italy). We only know that she was the daughter of Count Pietruccio Gabrielli di Gubbio, Count of Corbara, and Elena di Pietruccio Del Monte. We also know that she lived in the fourteenth century. So, her youth was lived in wealth and privileged nobility. Her uncle was Paolo Gabrielli, bishop of Lucca.

In the volume by Lodovico Iacobilli “Lives of the saints and blesseds of Umbria and those, the bodies of which rest in this province”. Published in Foligno, Italy in 1647, it is said that “The Gabrielli family of Gubbio has had many illustrious characters in ecclesiastical and military dignity, with the dominion of several castles.”

Castora was of beautiful appearance, of very modest and withdrawn stature. She despised every vanity and worldly thing. While devoted to the Saint Francis of Assisi, she was entirely dedicated to the service of God and to the benefit of one’s neighbor.

Difficult Marriage

Only to obey her parents, at a very young age, Castora married a prominent lawyer, Santuccio Sanfonerio, in the territory of Sant’Angelo in Vado. He was the count of Castello, San Martino, and Bassinaro. She and Santuccio had at a son, Odo, whom she brought up in the fear of God.

Santuccio was a violent, harsh and angry man that mistreated Castora with words and deeds, beating her at times. However, she bore these sufferings patiently and spent the time she had after her household duties, in prayer asking for help bearing her own cross. In particular, she used to go many times praying in the church of San Francesco in Sant’Angelo in Vado, in Umbria, Italy. When she returned home, Castora was always by her husband. However, Castora bore it all for the love of God, with admirable patience. Castora was “noted for the sanctity that she brought to her everyday work.”

Widow, Then Lay Franciscan

Castora was a woman of rare piety and profound charity. On the death of her husband, with the consent of her son Odo, she distributed her goods to the poor. As a widow, Castora took the habit of the Franciscan Third Order also known as the Franciscan Tertiaries. This association allowed her to live out her religious vocation while remaining in the world, rather than joining a religious community. The Franciscan Tertiaries model their lives after the spirituality of Saint Francis of Assisi, emphasizing simplicity, poverty, and service to others. So, as a Secular Franciscan, Castora spent the rest of her life in penance and prayer.

Solace to Others

Castora dedicated herself to prayer and acts of charity, offering support and solace to those in difficult marriages and to other widows. Her own experience of loss and sorrow allowed her to empathize deeply with those who faced similar trials.

Her Death

Castora passed away of natural causes in June 14, 1391 in Macerata, Marche, Italy, leaving behind a legacy of sanctity and devotion to God. She was known to have lived a life marked by selflessness, humility, and a deep love for others. She sanctified herself through the daily practice of the domestic virtues.

After her death, her son, Odo, wanted to transfer her blessed body to the church of San Francesco in Sant’Angelo in Vado. And in this regard, Iacobilli tells us that “Her body is preserved until the present in the sacristy of the said church of San Francesco in Sant’Angelo in Vado, where she was buried with the Franciscan tertiary habit”.

Born:                  14th Century mostly likely in Italy

Died:                   June 14, 1391 in Macerata, Marche, Italy

Beatified:           Unknown

Canonized:        Unknown

Feast Day:         June 14

Patron Saint:    Difficult Marriages; Widows

Source:

• • CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Castora Gabrielli
  • Saint Castora Gabrielli – Saint for a Minute: Saints & Blesseds
  • Blessed Castora Gabrielli – Santi e Beati (translated from Italian)

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