A Unique Friendship in the Franciscan Story
Among the many souls touched by the life and witness of Saint Francis of Assisi, one woman holds a place of singular honor and affection. Blessed Jacoba di Settesoli was second only to Clare of Assisi in the eyes of Saint Francis, yet her story is less widely known. This remarkable Roman noblewoman, whom Francis affectionately called "Brother Jacoba," lived a life that demonstrated how sanctity can flourish in the midst of secular responsibilities, wealth, and family obligations.
Early Life and Noble Heritage
Jacoba de Settesoli was born in 1190 at Torre Astura, a fief of the Frangipani, one of the most powerful and influential noble families in medieval Rome. The Frangipani were of Norman origin and held extensive properties throughout Rome and the surrounding countryside. As a young woman of aristocratic birth, Jacoba would have received an education befitting her station and been groomed for marriage into another noble family.
By 1210, she was married to Graziano Frangipane and had two sons, Giacomo and Giovanni. Her marriage united two branches of the powerful Frangipani dynasty. However, her married life was destined to be brief. By 1217, Graziano was dead, leaving Jacoba "his several castles and landed estates scattered all over Rome and the Roman countryside," including a castle at Marino. At approximately twenty-seven years of age, Jacoba found herself a widow with two young sons and the responsibility of managing vast holdings.
The Providential Meeting with Francis
The encounter that would change the course of Jacoba's life occurred when she was still in the early years of her widowhood. Francis of Assisi had come to Rome seeking papal approval for his new religious order. She listened to him preach and asked his advice on how to be charitable. The young widow, earnest in her desire to serve God more perfectly, sought out the holy man from Assisi for spiritual guidance.
What transpired in their conversation reveals much about both Francis's wisdom and Jacoba's character. "A perfect life can be lived anywhere," he said. "Poverty is everywhere. Charity is everywhere." Rather than encouraging her to abandon her responsibilities and enter religious life, Francis counseled her to remain in her current state and to sanctify herself through faithful service to God within her secular vocation.
This advice proved prophetic. She became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis. She allowed her two sons to manage family affairs while she, working out of her house, devoted herself to performing acts of charity for others. Some traditions hold that Francis may have even established the Third Order specifically with women like Jacoba in mind, though this cannot be definitively confirmed.
A Deepening Friendship
What began as a spiritual consultation blossomed into one of the most remarkable friendships in Franciscan history. When he travelled to Rome, Francis would stay as her guest. Her Roman palazzo became a refuge for the Poor Man of Assisi during his visits to the Eternal City.
Known for her intelligence and vitality, Jacoba often entertained the Poverello (poor man) during his visits to Rome, preparing for him a cream confection called motairol, made of almonds, sugar, and other ingredients ground with a mortar and pestle. These almond pastries, known as mostaccioli or mustaccioli, became Francis's favorite delicacy—a touching detail that reveals the human warmth of their friendship.
Francis, in his gratitude and affection, bestowed upon Jacoba a gift of profound spiritual significance. He presented her with the gift of a lamb, which, according to St. Bonaventure, "seemed to have been educated by him in the spiritual life." This lamb became Jacoba's constant companion, even following her to Mass and, according to legend, waking her each morning for prayers. The story of the lamb is more than charming folklore; Saint Bonaventure tells us this was Francis teaching Jacoba holy obedience, even to the pet lamb he gave her.
The depth of their spiritual friendship is reflected in the extraordinary title Francis gave her. He called her "Brother Jacoba"—an appellation that recognized her as equal in spiritual fortitude and dedication to his male followers. This was no small honor in the thirteenth century.
Generous Patronage of the Franciscan Order
Jacoba's support of Francis and his order went far beyond providing hospitality. She gave some of her family's property in Trastevere, Rome to Francis and the brothers to use as a hospice for lepers and she provided for their needs. This property became crucial for the early Franciscan presence in Rome.
She was instrumental in having the Benedictines turn over to the Friars Minor a hospice for the sick poor, St. Blaise, in the Trastevere quarter, where Francis had often stayed on his visits to Rome; this became the friars' first residence in Rome, San Francesco a Ripa. This achievement required not only financial resources but also considerable diplomatic skill and influence with both ecclesiastical and civil authorities.
The Death of Saint Francis: A Testament of Love
The most moving chapter in the story of Blessed Jacoba concerns the final days of Saint Francis. In late September 1226, as Francis lay dying at the Porziuncola near Assisi, he asked that a letter be sent to his beloved friend. St. Francis of Assisi asked that a letter be sent to "the beloved Lady Jacoba of Settesoli," informing her of his impending death and asking her to bring "a shroud of hair-cloth in which to wrap my body, and wax for the burial. I pray thee, likewise, that thou bring to me some of that food which thou wast wont to give me when I was in Rome."
What happened next speaks to the mystical communion between these two souls. God had already revealed to Jacoba that Francis was dying, and now God revealed to Francis that Jacoba knew. "Do not write more, for it is not necessary." Before the letter could be sent, there came a knock at the door.
"And after a little while at the door of the house there was a loud knocking, and Saint Francis sent the porter to open it; and when it was opened, there was the Lady Jacoba, the most noble lady of Rome, with her two sons, who were senators, and with a large escort of other knights." She had already prepared everything Francis had requested, including his beloved almond pastries.
The arrival of Lady Jacoba, who had come with her two sons and a great retinue to bid Francis farewell, caused some consternation, since women were forbidden to enter the friary. But Francis in gratitude to this Roman noblewoman, made an exception, and "Brother Jacoba," as Francis had named her on account of her fortitude, remained to the last.
Tradition holds that she had sheared wool from the lamb Francis had given her and woven it into the burial shroud that would wrap his sacred body. She remained at his side until his death on the evening of October 3, 1226.
Life After Francis
Following Francis's death, Jacoba returned to Rome and continued her work of charity with renewed dedication. She was active in numerous charitable activities. She also became a major benefactor of the construction of the basilica of San Francesco in Assisi. Her generosity helped ensure that a worthy monument would be built to house the remains of her beloved friend and spiritual father.
Eventually, she herself moved to Assisi in the 1230s. Jacoba, who survived her children and grandchildren, spent her last years in Assisi to be close to those who had known St. Francis. This detail is particularly poignant—having outlived her entire family, she found her spiritual home among the Franciscan community.
Death and Veneration
The exact date of Blessed Jacoba's death remains a subject of scholarly debate. The most common opinion is that Jacoba died in Assisi on February 8, 1239, although some historians say there is evidence that she lived until 1273. What is certain is that she died in Assisi, in the city that held the tomb of Saint Francis.
To this day, her beautiful handmade linens and the garment and shoes Lady Jacoba made for Francis are on display in the Lower Basilica along with other of Francis' artifacts. These tangible reminders of her loving service continue to inspire pilgrims who visit Assisi.
Liturgical Commemoration and Traditions
Blessed Jacoba's feast day is celebrated on February 8. There is a tradition among Franciscan communities to commemorate the Transitus (i.e. "passing" or death) of St. Francis. In some, there has developed the custom of distributing small almond confections (cookies, scones, etc.), recalling Bl. Jacoba's attendance at his death.
This beautiful tradition keeps alive the memory of her final gift to Francis. The patron saint of Italy had a special weakness for mostaccioli, traditional dry biscuits that Italians still cook every Oct. 4 as a tribute to the famous stigmatist saint. These almond and honey pastries, made according to various traditional recipes, serve as an edible memorial to a friendship that transcended the boundaries of gender, social class, and religious state.
Iconography and Artistic Representations
The question of how Jacoba appeared has intrigued art historians and Franciscan scholars. A detail from a Simone Martini fresco in the Lower Basilica at Assisi is supposed to represent St. Clare, but there are those who think it is actually Jacoba de Settesoli. For one thing, there are seven suns in the halo—sette soli. And Clare is ordinarily shown in a religious habit, including in other works by Martini in the Basilica.
This identification, if correct, would provide us with a near-contemporary image of the blessed woman. The "seven suns" (sette soli) would be a play on her family name "Settesoli," while the secular clothing would distinguish her from Saint Clare, who is consistently depicted in religious habit.
Medieval and later artistic representations show Jacoba carrying the burial shroud she made for Francis, sometimes with an angel urging her to hurry to Assisi. These images capture the essence of her role as the saint's devoted friend and caretaker.
Theological and Spiritual Significance
The life of Blessed Jacoba de Settesoli offers profound insights for Catholic spirituality, particularly for lay people seeking holiness in the midst of worldly responsibilities.
The Universal Call to Holiness
Long before the Second Vatican Council articulated the universal call to holiness for all the baptized, Jacoba lived this reality. Francis's counsel to her—that she could live a perfect life anywhere, that poverty and charity are everywhere—anticipated the Church's later teaching that sanctity is not reserved for those in religious life.
Lay Franciscanism
As one of the earliest members of the Third Order of Saint Francis (now known as the Secular Franciscan Order), Jacoba stands as a model for millions of Franciscan tertiaries throughout history. She demonstrated that one could embrace Franciscan ideals of poverty, simplicity, and charity while managing significant wealth and property. The key was not the renunciation of ownership itself, but rather holding these goods with detachment and using them generously for God's purposes.
Holy Friendship
The relationship between Francis and Jacoba reveals the beauty and power of spiritual friendship. Their bond was pure, deep, and oriented entirely toward God. Francis's willingness to call her "Brother" and to exempt her from the cloister restrictions shows his recognition that holiness transcends gender categories. At the same time, the propriety and transparency of their friendship—conducted in the context of her hospitality and his pastoral care—offers a model for how men and women can support each other's spiritual journeys.
Service to the Poor
Jacoba's use of her wealth to establish hospices for lepers and support the early Franciscan mission demonstrates the proper stewardship of material resources. She understood that her inheritance was not for self-indulgence but for serving Christ in his suffering members.
Perseverance in Widowhood
For those who find themselves widowed, especially at a young age, Jacoba offers a powerful example. Rather than remarrying or entering a convent, she chose to remain in her state as a widow, raising her sons and managing her estates while deepening her spiritual life. The Church has always honored widowhood as a special vocation, and Jacoba lived it with remarkable grace.
The Mystery of the Lamb
The story of Francis giving Jacoba a lamb deserves special reflection. In the Franciscan tradition, animals often carry deep symbolic significance. The lamb Francis saved from slaughter and gave to Jacoba can be understood on multiple levels:
First, it recalls Christ himself, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. In caring for this creature, Jacoba was symbolically caring for Christ.
Second, the lamb's reported behavior—following her faithfully, waking her for prayers, and (according to tradition) providing the wool for Francis's burial shroud—suggests a creature that had indeed been "educated in the spiritual life," as Saint Bonaventure wrote. This points to the Franciscan vision of creation as capable of praising God and participating in the spiritual life of their human companions.
Third, on a practical level, the lamb served as a living reminder of Francis himself and his teaching. Each day, as it woke her for prayer or accompanied her to Mass, it reinforced the lessons of faithfulness, obedience, and devotion that Francis had taught her.
Historical Context and Challenges
It is worth noting that some nineteenth-century historians questioned whether Jacoba even existed, since she is mentioned in relatively few of the earliest Franciscan sources. However, the diligent research of scholars like Paul Sabatier established her historical reality beyond doubt. The discovery of documents in the Assisi archives confirmed that a woman named Jacoba dei Settesoli was still alive in 1273, owning property in the region.
This scholarly skepticism followed by vindication reminds us that women's contributions to salvation history have often been minimized or forgotten, only to be recovered by careful historical work. The Church's ongoing recognition of Jacoba's sanctity and her burial place of honor in the crypt with Saint Francis testify to the friars' own recognition of her importance.
Contemporary Relevance
What can modern Catholics, especially those living in the world with family and professional responsibilities, learn from Blessed Jacoba?
Holiness in Ordinary Life
Jacoba never abandoned her household, never entered a convent, never undertook dramatic penances or extraordinary mystical experiences (at least none that are recorded). Instead, she sanctified herself through faithful attention to her duties as a mother, widow, and steward of resources, combined with generous charity and deep friendship with holy people. This is a model accessible to virtually every Catholic.
Generous Hospitality
Jacoba's home became a center of Franciscan life in Rome because she welcomed Francis and his brothers. Today's Catholics can similarly make their homes centers of grace by welcoming those in need, by hosting prayer groups or Bible studies, by providing meals for the sick or lonely. Hospitality remains a powerful form of Christian witness.
Discerning Use of Wealth
In an age of consumerism and wealth accumulation, Jacoba shows an alternative path. She retained administrative control of her property but used it for the kingdom of God—funding hospices, supporting religious communities, and eventually relocating to be near the tomb of her spiritual father. Her example challenges wealthy Catholics to ask: How am I using my resources for God's purposes?
Support for Religious Vocations
Jacoba's generous support helped the Franciscan Order establish itself in Rome during its crucial early years. Today, laypeople continue to play a vital role in supporting seminarians, religious communities, and missionary work through prayer, financial contributions, and encouragement.
Friendship Across Boundaries
The friendship between Francis and Jacoba crossed boundaries of gender, social class, and religious state. In our fractured world, this example of holy friendship reminds us that Christ can unite people across all human divisions.
A Prayer to Blessed Jacoba
Based on traditional Franciscan sources, we can pray:
"Lord, pour upon us the spirit of wisdom and love with which you filled your servant Blessed Jacoba. By serving you as she did, may we please you with our faith and our actions. Grant that, like her, we may find holiness in our daily duties, generosity in our use of material goods, and faithful friendship with those who lead us closer to you. Through her intercession, may we come at last to that blessed company of saints where she now rests with Saint Francis and all your holy ones. Amen."
Conclusion: "Brother Jacoba" and the Franciscan Spirit
The title "Brother Jacoba" was not a casual nickname but a profound recognition. In calling her "brother," Francis acknowledged that she possessed the same spirit of dedication, poverty, and joy that animated his male followers. She was not simply a benefactor or supporter standing outside the movement, but truly one with it in spirit.
Her presence at Francis's death—breaking the rule against women in the friary—and her burial in the crypt alongside him and his closest companions confirm this assessment. The Franciscan community recognized that some bonds transcend canonical regulations, that some friendships are themselves sacramental, manifesting God's love in the world.
Today, as the Church continues to explore the role of women in the life of faith, as we seek to understand how laypeople can achieve sanctity without leaving the world, and as we struggle to use material resources justly and generously, Blessed Jacoba de Settesoli speaks with a voice that is both ancient and surprisingly contemporary.
Her feast day, February 8, is an annual reminder that holiness blooms in unlikely places—in Roman palaces as well as Umbrian caves, through management of estates as well as through radical poverty, in the faithful love of a widow for a poor friar who called her "brother."
May her prayers and example inspire all who seek to follow Christ faithfully in their own state of life, trusting that God's call to holiness truly does reach us wherever we are, for as Saint Francis told her, "A perfect life can be lived anywhere. Poverty is everywhere. Charity is everywhere."
Feast Day: February 8
Born: c. 1190, Torre Astura, Italy
Died: February 8, 1239 or 1273, Assisi, Italy
Venerated in: Roman Catholic Church, especially the Franciscan Order
Beatified by: Pope John Paul II (cultus confirmed)
Major shrine: Crypt of the Basilica of San Francesco, Assisi, Italy
Patronage: Widows, Secular Franciscans, benefactors, hospitality
For Further Reading:
- Saint Francis of Assisi: A Biography by Johannes JΓΆrgensen (1912)
- Francis of Assisi: Performing the Gospel Life by Lawrence S. Cunningham (2004)
- Francis & His Brothers by Dominic V. Monti, OFM
- The writings of Saint Bonaventure on Saint Francis
- Thomas of Celano's early biographies of Saint Francis
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| Tomb of Jacoba of Settesoli. |
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