Page:A Dictionary of Saintly Women Volume 1.djvu/442

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428
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428 ST. JANE '^Foar not, this one also is dead." Within six days a messenger came to King John, from the English ambassador at Lisbon, saying that news of the king's death had just come from England (14k:J). John was now filled with admiration for his sister, who begged that in the future he would look upon her as con- secrated to God, assuring him that as it had been with these two suitors, so it would bo with others, or else her own death, which she desired, would prevent the marriage. After this intenriew, the king returned to Lisbon, and Juana to Aveiro, where she spent the rest of her life. She made a solemn vow of perpetual virginity before the altar of the convent. Two years before her last illness, she began to execute her favourite project of re- building the convent ; but she did not live to complete the work. Juana was very kind and attentive to all nuns who were ill, and was specially anxious for the conversion of sinners. She had repeatedly tried to convert and restrain by kindness and persuasion certain women who were living in mortal sin, and at last had them removed from where they lived ; but they were not converted, and secretly vowed to take revenge on her. One hot day, in a place where she did not fear any danger, she asked for a drink of water, which she had no sooner drunk than she was seized with grievous pains and sickness ; BO that many thought the water had been poisoned. Although she lived for some months, she never recovered, and suffered much. Several of the nuns had dreams and visions portending the death of the princess. During her last months on earth, she strove to approach nearer to perfection. Everything possible was done for her by doctors and nurses. Throughout the kingdom, prayers and processions were made for her recovery. Her brother aud many of the chief persons of the kingdom hearing that her case was hopeless, came to visit her. Though racked with pain and sickness, she set her affairs in order. She caused a deed of manumission to be drawn up, by which she liberated all her slaves of both sexes. She left the tnilk of her property to the Convent of Jesos. There were many signs and wooden before and at her death, which took place May 12, 1490. Soon after it, the saint appeared in dreams to sevend of the nuns. Papebroch reoonntB a great many miracles, described in the process of hear canonization (1626). The story of ha life is written by Margarita Piiineria, a lay-sister who served her constantly, and solemnly asserts that she witnessed most of what she relates ; the rest she heard at the time from persons worthy of all credit. A,B.M. AA.SS. Lopes, Hist, general de Sancio Domingo, B. Jane (lo July 9, 1428-1491. Giovanna Scopelli was a Carmelite nun of noble family, founder of the Convent of Sta. Maria del Popolo at Boggio, in the duchy of Modena. She was remark- able for her austerities, visions, tempta- tions, and miracles. By her prayers, she obtained husbands for her two sisters, and many other temporal and spiritual advantages for various persons. Her immemorial worship was approved by Clement XIV. for the whole Carmelite Order and for all the clergy of the duchy of Modena. A,B.M, AAJSS,, from her Life by Muth. St Jane (16), Feb. 4, 1464-1505. Queen of France. Duchess of Orleans. Wifeof LouisXII. (1498-1515). Founder of the Annonciades. Sometimes repre- sented with three crowns and a palm. Jeanne de Valois was the elder daughter of Louis XI., king of France (1461-1483), by his second wife, Char- lotte of Savoy. From her childhood, this princess, who had neither beauty, ability, nor health, was always eclipsed by her younger sister Anne, a beautiful, selfish, unscrupulous person. As Jeanne early perceived that her father had no affection for her, she avoided meeting him when possible, and trembled in his presence. This fear of him increased his dislike to her. She had little taste for pomps and vanities in which she was unfit to shine, and one of the greatest pleasures that oamo into her sad young life was the visit of St. Francis of Paula to her father's court He sympathijEed