Bl. Juliana of Collalto
Benedictine Abbess
Feast Day: September 1
Biography
Bl. Juliana (c. 1186–1262) was born at the castle of Collalto, near Treviso in northeastern Italy, the daughter of Count Rambaldo VI of Collalto, one of the leading noble families of the region. As a girl of about twelve, she entered the Benedictine convent of Santa Margherita at Salarola, near Este, where one of her companions was Bl. Beatrice d'Este. For many years she lived there a hidden life of prayer, work, and obedience under the Rule of St. Benedict. In the 1220s she was sent to Venice to found a new community of Benedictine nuns on the island then called Spinalonga, now the Giudecca. The monastery, dedicated to Sts. Biagio and Cataldo, grew under her care, and she served as its first abbess for the rest of her life. Contemporaries remembered her humility, her charity to the poor of Venice, and her gentleness toward her sisters. Accounts of her life credit her with healings and other favors, and she herself is said to have suffered from severe headaches, which is why she is invoked by those with migraines. She died on the Giudecca on September 1, 1262. Veneration of her continued without interruption, and the Church later confirmed her cult, honoring her with the title of Blessed.
Patronages
Symbols
Prayer
Blessed Juliana, you left the comforts of a noble home to seek God in the quiet of the cloister. Pray for all who suffer from pain that does not go away, that they may find strength and relief. Help me to serve others with humility and to build my life, day by day, on prayer and faithful work. Amen.
Asking for Intercession
Catholics ask saints to pray with us and for us, as we ask friends on earth. Bl. Juliana of Collalto, who lives in God's presence, intercedes before His throne. Speak from your heart: “Bl. Juliana of Collalto, please pray for me…” You may also pray the prayer above or include this intention in your Rosary.