St. Seraphina

St. Seraphina, also known as Fina, was born in 1238 in San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy, to a poor family. Her father, Cambioa, died when she was very young, leaving her mother, Imperiera, to work and care for her. Seraphina's life took a dramatic turn in 1248 when she fell ill with a condition that progressively paralyzed her, likely a form of tuberculous osteomyelitis. Despite her suffering, she remained deeply devoted to her faith, drawing strength from the sufferings of Pope St. Gregory the Great. Seraphina's illness lasted for five years, during which she chose to lie on a wooden pallet rather than a bed. She died on March 12, 1253, at the age of 15, on the feast day of St. Gregory, as he had appeared to her in a vision predicting her death. After her passing, white violets bloomed on her pallet, and her legacy as a symbol of devotion and resilience spread throughout San Gimignano. Although not formally canonized, she is celebrated in the town on March 12 and the first Sunday of August, commemorating her intercession during the Plague. Her example of faith and endurance continues to inspire the people of San Gimignano to this day[1][3][5].