St. Flora

St. Flora was born in France around the year 1309, during a time when the Church was experiencing both great spiritual renewal and significant challenges. From an early age, she demonstrated exceptional devotion to God, showing a deep love for prayer and spiritual matters that would characterize her entire life.

As a devout child, Flora resisted all attempts on the part of her parents to find a husband for her, feeling called to a life of consecrated virginity. Her determination to remain single for the sake of the Kingdom of God showed her strong will and deep spiritual conviction, even in the face of family pressure and societal expectations.

In 1324, at the age of fifteen, Flora entered the Priory of Beaulieu of the Hospitaller nuns of St. John of Jerusalem. This religious community was dedicated to serving the poor and sick, following the example of St. John the Baptist and the early Christian tradition of hospitality and care for those in need.

However, her religious life was not without challenges. Flora was beset with many and diverse trials, fell into a depressed state, and was made sport of by some of her religious sisters. Despite these difficulties, she never ceased to find favor with God and was granted many unusual and mystical favors that would mark her as a special instrument of divine grace.

One year on the feast of All Saints, Flora fell into an ecstasy and took no nourishment until three weeks later on the feast of St. Cecilia. This extraordinary mystical experience demonstrated her deep union with God and her ability to transcend ordinary human needs through divine grace.

On another occasion, while meditating on the Holy Spirit, she was raised four feet from the ground and hung in the air in full view of many onlookers. This miraculous levitation was a visible sign of her spiritual elevation and the power of God working through her.

St. Flora also seemed to be pierced with the arms of Our Lord's cross, causing blood to flow freely at times from her side and at others, from her mouth. These mystical wounds, similar to the stigmata experienced by other saints, showed her deep participation in the sufferings of Christ and her complete identification with His Passion.

Other instances of God's favoring of his servant were also reported, concerning prophetic knowledge of matters of which she could not naturally know. Through it all, St. Flora remained humble and in complete communion with her Divine Master, rendering wise counsel to all who flocked to her because of her holiness and spiritual discernment. In 1347, she was called to her eternal reward, and many miracles were worked at her tomb, confirming her sanctity and the power of her intercession.

Liturgical Celebration

St. Flora is celebrated on October 5th. This feast day honors her life of mystical union with God, her patronage of the abandoned and converts, and her example of humility and perseverance in the face of trials.

Traditions and Customs

On this day, many Catholics pray for those who feel abandoned or rejected, for converts to the faith, for single women discerning their vocation, and for victims of betrayal. It's also a day to reflect on the power of mystical prayer and the reality of divine grace.

Prayer and Devotion

The feast day is an excellent time to pray for the abandoned and rejected, for those undergoing conversion, for single women seeking their vocation, and to ask for St. Flora's intercession in experiencing deeper union with God.