Giulia della Rena


Giulia della Rena was an Italian Roman Catholic professed member of the Order of Saint Augustine in its third order branch. Della Rena was orphaned sometime in her late childhood and sought work as a maid in Florence where she soon became a member of the Augustinian tertiaries. The religious then returned to Certaldo due to the negative Florentine economic and political climate where she became best known for rescuing a child from a burning building.
The 1819 confirmation of her local 'cultus' - which began almost right after she died - allowed for Pope Pius VII to approve her beatification.

Life

Giulia della Rena was born to impoverished nobles in Certaldo sometime in 1319. She was orphaned of both her parents sometime in her childhood.
Della Rena sought work outside of her hometown and became a maid to the Timolfi household in Florence. It was there that she became a professed member of the Order of Saint Augustine in its third order branch in 1338 at their church of the Holy Spirit while also receiving the habit. But the tumult in Florence caused her to return home to Certaldo where she rescued a child from a burning building in a move that brought her unwanted fame and attention. She then retired to live the remainder of her life as an anchoress in a small cell that was built to the church of Santi Jacopo e Filippo. She had little in her small cell save for a little window and a Crucifix.
Della Rena died at the beginning of 1367. Her remains were interred in the church of Santi Jacopo e Filippo and were moved to its altar in 1372.

Beatification

The confirmation of her local 'cultus'or popular devotionallowed for Pope Pius VII to issue his full approval for her beatification on 18 May 1819. Such a cult began almost right after she had died and became enduring. Sometime in the 1500s she was hailed as a patron of being against pestilent and infections due to miracles curing people of such.