聖芬娜 (貞女)
聖芬娜1238年生於San Geminiano,意大利。她安逝於1253年,年僅15歲。她短短的生命充滿基督的愛,她且愛基督到底。她家境非常貧窮,但也無阻聖女愛主愛人;她常與有需要的人,分享僅有的食物。
1248年,聖女患了重病;這病使她漸漸癱瘓。她沒有因此失去信德,卻以信德忍受病痛;她感謝天主,也求天主賞她早日脫離肉身,好與主基督會晤。她的榜樣吸引許多市民來探望她。探訪她的人,反過來常常得到聖女的鼓勵;他們都驚奇聖女這麼勇敢承行主旨。聖女於1253年3月12日安逝。聖女對自己的病和窮困沒有自怨自艾,反以上主作為她的力量和安慰。
聖女是傷殘人士的主保。
祈禱
全能的天主,求你以聖芬娜的榜樣和祈禱,激勵我們仰望十字架上的基督,以信德忍受病苦,以愛德彼此支援,以望德期待天國。因你的聖子,我們的主耶穌基督,他和你及聖神,是唯一天主,永生永王。亞孟。
Saint Fina, Virgin
Born as Fina (Seraphina), in 1238 at San Geminiano, Tuscany, Italy and died on March 12, 1253, aged 15. Hers was a short life but one filled with the love of Christ and heroic tales of her devotion to Him. Her parents were poor and this was her lot in life as well. Legend has it that her own poverty did nothing to turn her away from God. Instead she would take her own meager supply of food and share it with friends and family.
In 1248, Fina’s life was changed by a serious illness, which began, progressively, to paralyse her. Her deep faith relieved her pain. In spite of her misfortunes and poverty, she thanked God and expressed a desire that her soul might separate from the body, in order to meet Jesus Christ.
In her reading, St. Fina had heard of the great sufferings of St. Gregory the Great. She prayed to him, drew strength from the sufferings that he had to endure and prayed, that he would obtain for her, the patience she needed to bear her own sufferings.
Fina’s immense devotion was an example to all the citizens of San Gimignano, who frequently visited her. Visitors were surprised to receive words of encouragement from a desperately ill young girl who was resigned to the will of God. On March 12, 1253, after five years of sickness and pain, Fina died at the age of 15.
While physical suffering plagued Fina’s life, instead of pitying herself, she turned to God for strength and comfort. She is now known as the patron saint of handicapped people.
Prayer
Almighty God, inspire us with the example and prayers of Saint Fina,
looking to Christ on the cross,
that we may endure sickness by faith,
support each other by charity, and
look forward to heavenly kingdom by hope.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.