Today February 29

Today, Leap day, we can celebrate Blessed Louisa Albertoni (1473 - 1533), laywoman. She lost her father when she was yet an infant and though her mother married again, her mother and the stepfather didn't raise her. She was farmed out to the family: raised first by her grandmother and then by two of her aunts. She had an arranged marriage to James de Cithara, also of Rome, and though she didn't choose him, she certainly grew to love him. They had three children together; then he died in 1506. She was devastated. But now she could do as she liked -- and what she liked was living the Gospel imperative: sell and give what you have to the poor. And she did so, but not all at once. (It doesn't say you necessarily have to do so all at once!) She put off her fancy clothes and many possessions and embraced voluntary poverty and a simple lifestyle. She had a unique way of giving to the poor: she'd often bake loaves of bread, baking into each varying quantities of silver and/or gold coins, and praying that the larger amounts would make it into the hands of those most in need.

She succeeded in giving away all she had and "dying broke," but she was happy and marked with profound peace of soul. She quietly slipped away from this life repeating, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." Amen. Blessed Louisa, pray for us.