On the eve of the feast of Saint Jacinta (Giacinta) Marescotti, at the invitation of the Diocese of Civita Castellana, a representation of the Tuscia and Sabina Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, led by the Delegate, the Nob. Attorney Roberto Saccarello, Knight Grand Cross Jure Sanguinis with Gold Star, attended the solemn celebrations in honour of the patron saint of the city on Monday 29 January 2024 in Vignanello.

At the conclusion of the First Solemn Vespers of Saint Jacinta Marescotti, celebrated at 5.00 pm in the entrance hall of the Ruspoli Castle, the representation of the Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina took part in the “Departure” of Saint Jacinta from the Ruspoli Castle, presided over by Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, Archbishop Emeritus of Perugia-Città della Pieve and former President of the Italian Conference of Bishops.

The Constantinian knights provided an escort to the statue of the great Franciscan saint, in the devout procession which was accompanied by the Porters, the Celebration Committee, the Confraternity of the Sacconi, the Ladies of Santa Jacinta Marescotti, and the Soriano nel Cimino Band.

Subsequently, at the collegiate church of Santa Maria della Presentazione, the Constantinian knights attended Holy Mass in honour of Saint Jacinta Marescotti (with choral singing by the Schola Cantorum A. Cherubini), presided over by Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, who in his homily retraced the highlights of the life of the Patron Saint of Vignanello, urging those present to continue her work in practicing charity towards our sick and needy brothers and sisters.

At the end of the Sacred Liturgy, the Delegate spoke with Cardinal Bassetti, who congratulated him on the charitable and cultural activities carried out in the region by the Constantinian Delegation of Tuscia and Sabina.

Life of Saint Jacinta Marescotti

Clarice, born in the castle of Vignanello on 6 March 1585 to Count Marcantonio Marescotti and Ottavia Orsini, took her vows at a very young age at the convent of San Bernardino in Viterbo, adopting the name of Jacinta (Giacinta).

This, however, was only an external consecration. In the cloister, in fact, she immediately held attitudes contrary to Franciscan discipline. Instead of living in a cell, she had an apartment furnished in the style of her rooms in her ancestral castle, with young lay women as servants. Until one day, while she was seriously ill, a learned Franciscan came to visit her who, as soon as he saw the luxury with which she surrounded herself, refused to confess her, scolding her harshly.

This event totally transformed her: she accepted her condition, wearing a rough habit and asking her sisters for forgiveness for her behaviour. She went to live in a bare cell, adorned only with a heavy cross to which she tied herself.

Thus began 24 extraordinary years for Jacinta, completely dedicated to helping others. To this end she created two lay brotherhoods. The first, called dei Sacconi, was dedicated to the care of the sick. The second, called the Oblates of Mary, had as its mission the care of the elderly.

Jacinta died on January 30, 1640 and was immediately venerated by the Christian people among the saints, in particular among those who had been great sinners and then were converted by grace.

On May 24, 1807, Pope Pius VII declared Saint Jacinta Marescotti “full of the merits of intense charity towards God and others, of singular penance, and of all the Christian virtues, as well as glorious for miracles.”

Prayer

Lord, our God, Love, Truth, Beauty, in the Garden of your Church you made Jacinta Marescotti flourish with a strenuous holiness and you gave her a passionate love for You, in the Cross and in the Eucharist, as in the poor and in the sick.  We thank you for her goodness and ask you, through her intercession, to know and welcome your love, which overcomes indifference, hostility and selfishness, so that, like her, we become capable of bringing bread, clothing, and shelter and of giving welcome, consolation and friendship to those who are poor, alone, and in need, thus increasing light and charity in the Church and building a just, supportive and fraternal human coexistence with the living and an ever strengthening charity.  Saint Jacinta pray for us. Amen

PHOTOGRAPHS:

ABOVE: Saint Jacinta Marescotti

BELOW:  LEFT TO RIGHT AT EACH ROW:

The town of Vignanello

Cardinal Bassetti at the Mass

Cardinal Bassetti preaching the homily at the Mass

Constantinian knights during the Mass

The Delegate for Tuscia and Sabina of the Constantinian Order, the Nob. Attorney Roberto Saccarello, Knight Grand Cross, speaking with Cardinal Bassetti after the Mass

The urn in which the remains of Saint Jacinta are preserved, in the church of San Bernardino in Viterbo (but her cult flourishes throughout northern Lazio and also in Rome, where the Sforza Ruspolis, her family members, built a chapel in the church of San Lorenzo in Lucina)

Postage stamp of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in honour of Saint Jacinta