Blessed Beatrice of Este
FOUNDRESS OF THE MONASTERY OF SAINT ANTHONY, IN FERRARA (1262).
Foundress of the monastery of Saint Anthony
A princess of the illustrious House of Este and widow of the Lord of Vicenza, Beatrice followed her aunt's example by dedicating herself to God. She founded the Benedictine monastery of Saint Anthony in Ferrara in 1254, where she shone for her austerity and spirit of poverty until her death in 1262.
Guided reading
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BLESSED BEATRICE D'ESTE,
FOUNDRESS OF THE MONASTERY OF SAINT ANTHONY, IN FERRARA (1262).
Youth and religious vocation
Coming from the noble House of Este, Beatrice refuses the marriage imposed by her brother Azelino IX to secretly dedicate herself to God.
The illustr ious House of maison d'Este Illustrious Italian princely family. Este, which gave so many princes to Italy, received new luster in the 13th century through the holiness of two princesses of this noble family, both of whom bore the name Beatrice. The first, born in 1206, was the sister of Aze lino IX, M Azelino IX Marquis of Este and brother of Blessed Beatrice. arquis of Este. Having become an orphan early on, she lived at the court of her brother, who intended to choose a husband for her; but from her earliest youth, she had taken Jesus Christ as her portion. Seeing therefore that she was continually pressured to enter into marriage, she fled secretly from the palace of Azelino and went to dedicate herself to God in a monastery of the Order of Saint Benedict. This Ordre de Saint-Benoît Religious order occupying the monastery of Honnecourt. action initially irritated the Marquis; later, having returned to better sentiments, he approved of Beatrice's conduct. This holy girl, not finding the religious house she had entered sufficiently removed from noise, had a new one built in a solitary place and enclosed herself there with several other Christian virgins belonging to distinguished families, among whom was Blessed Juliana of Mantua. She li ved there for five years in the bienheureuse Julienne de Mantoue Religious companion of Beatrice d'Este. practice of all the virtues of her state and died holily around the twentieth year of her age, on May 10, 1226. It appears that she is honored as blessed in some churches of Padua, where her monastery was transferred and w here h Padoue Place of his medical studies. er body is preserved; but we do not believe that her cult has been approved by the Church.
Foundation and monastic life
After entering the Benedictines, she founded a new solitary monastery where she led a life of virtue with other companions.
The second Beatrice was the daughter of Azelino, and was m arried to Galeu Galéus Manfredo Lord of Vicenza and husband of Beatrice the Second. s Manfredo, lo rd of V Vicence City where John was bishop and where he suffered martyrdom. icenza.
Death and posterity of the cult
Beatrix died prematurely in 1226; her body was transferred to Padua where she became the object of local devotion.
The illustrious House of Este, which gave so many princes to Italy, received new luster in the 13th century through the holiness of two princesses of this noble family, both of whom bore the name Beatrix. The first, born in 1206, was the sister of Azelino IX, Marquis of Este. Having become an orphan early on, she lived at the court of her brother, who intended to choose a husband for her; but from her earliest youth, she had taken Jesus Christ as her portion. Seeing then that she was continually pressured to enter into marriage, she fled secretly from the palace of Azelino and went to consecrate herself to God in a monastery of the Order of Saint Benedict. This action initially irritated the Marquis; later, having returned to better sentiments, he approved of Beatrix's conduct. This holy girl, not finding the religious house she had entered sufficiently removed from noise, had a new one built in a solitary place and enclosed herself there with several other Christian virgins belonging to distinguished families, among whom was the Blessed Juliana of Mantua. She lived there for five years in the practice of all the virtues of her state and died holily around the twentieth year of her age, on May 10, 1226. It appears that she is honored as blessed in some churches of Padua, where her monastery was transferred and where her body is preserved; but we do not believe that her cult has been approved by the Church.
Mention of the second Beatrice
The text briefly mentions a second princess of the same name, married to the lord of Vicenza.
The second Beatrice was the daughter of Azelino, and was married to Galeus Manfredo, lord of Vicenza.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Marriage to Galeazzo Manfredi, Lord of Vicenza
- Widowhood and decision to embrace religious life despite her father's opposition
- Foundation of the Benedictine monastery for nuns in Ferrara
- Took the habit on March 25, 1254
- Approval of the cult by Pope Clement XIV on July 23, 1774
Miracles
- Sudden healing of the nun Durie Robonis from a knee ulcer on the eve of an amputation