Virgin of the Third Order of St. Dominic
Feast Day: October 30
Born: 1255 | Died: 1292
Patroness of maidens and of spiritual purity
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” – Matthew 5:8
Early Life and Vocation
Blessed Benvenuta Bojani was born in the year 1255 in Cividale del Friuli, in the region of Friuli in northeastern Italy. Her noble family, devout in the practice of the Faith, gave her the name Benvenuta, meaning “welcome,” for her birth brought great joy after her mother’s long yearning for a daughter.
From her earliest years, Benvenuta displayed a rare innocence and interior piety, coupled with an extraordinary devotion to the Passion of Our Lord. While still a child, she was deeply drawn to ascetical practices, seeking to imitate Christ’s sufferings and the mortifications of the saints. She vowed her virginity at a young age and was granted, by a special grace, perseverance in this resolution amidst the distractions of worldly expectations and family life.
Religious Life and Penances
Though she did not enter a cloistered convent, Benvenuta became a tertiary of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans)—the Third Order being a lay branch of the Dominican family, embracing its spirituality while living in the world. In the spirit of St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena, she dedicated herself to a life of prayer, penance, and service.
Benvenuta practiced severe bodily mortifications, including frequent fasting, wearing of hair-shirts, and vigil through the night in prayer. Yet her austerities were never marked by pride but were hidden beneath a gentle and cheerful demeanor. Her love for the Holy Eucharist and her devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the Passion of Christ were the constant themes of her contemplation.
The enemy of souls assailed her with many temptations, particularly against chastity and perseverance. But by humility and confidence in God’s grace, she triumphed, growing stronger in virtue. In her trials, she found refuge in the Crucified, often falling into ecstasies during prayer. She was known to experience mystical graces, including visions of Christ and the saints, but she sought no recognition or attention for them.
Final Illness and Death
Toward the end of her life, she was afflicted with a painful illness, which she bore with great patience and joy, uniting her sufferings to those of Christ. On October 30, 1292, after receiving the holy sacraments with great devotion, she gave up her soul to God.
Her sanctity was immediately recognized by those who had known her, and her tomb in Cividale became a place of pilgrimage. Numerous miracles were attributed to her intercession, especially healings of body and soul.
Cultus and Beatification
Though never formally canonized, Blessed Benvenuta’s cultus was approved by Pope Clement XIII in 1765, granting permission for her liturgical veneration within the Dominican Order and her native region. Her memory continues to inspire those called to live the evangelical counsels in the world, particularly young women seeking to live a life of purity and spiritual dedication.
Spiritual Legacy
Blessed Benvenuta Bojani stands as a model of lay sanctity, showing that a soul need not enter the cloister to become a saint. In an age tempted by comfort and self-indulgence, she remains a shining example of penitential love, interior purity, and unwavering fidelity to the Gospel.
Prayer to Blessed Benvenuta Bojani
O God, who didst enkindle in the heart of Blessed Benvenuta the flame of Thy love and didst call her to follow Thy Son in the way of virginity and penance: grant, we beseech Thee, that through her intercession we may overcome the allurements of the world, and cleave ever to Thee with a pure heart. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.