Hyacintha accepted God’s standards somewhat late in life. Born of a noble family near Viterbo, she entered a local convent of sisters who followed the Third Order Rule. However, she supplied herself with enough food, clothing, and other goods to live a very comfortable life amid these sisters pledged to mortification.

St Hyacintha, born in 1585, belonged to a wealthy and prominent family. Her father was Count Antonio of Mariscotti, her mother descended from the princely Roman family of the Orsini.

After her younger sister had been given in marriage, the disappointed Clarice, as Hyacintha was then called, entered the convent of the Tertiaries at Viterbo, but apparently only as a secular Tertiary.

At Saint Bernardine’s convent in Viterbo, Italy for ten years, though with no real enthusiasm; she used her personal funds to insure comfortable lodgings, and none of the privations of the other tertiaries. A serious illness caused Hyacintha’s confessor to bring her Communion, which allowed him to see her rooms for the first time.

Scandalized at the life she provided herself, the priest told her to live more humbly.

Hyacintha took his advice, became humble in her food and dress, did the most menial work in the convent, and replaced her bed with a few bare boards. She became an exceptional mistress of novices and developed a special appeal for “those who are despised, who are devoid of self-love and who have little sensible consolation.”

Over the years she developed a special devotion to the sufferings of Christ and, by her penances, became an inspiration to the sisters in her convent.

Foundress of the Sacconi or Oblates of Mary, dedicated to working with the aged poor.

A serious illness required that Hyacintha’s confessor bring Holy Communion to her room. Scandalized on seeing how soft a life she had provided for herself, the confessor advised her to live more humbly. Hyacintha disposed of her fine clothes and special foods. She eventually became very penitential in food and clothing; she was ready to do the humblest work in the convent. She developed a special devotion to the sufferings of Christ and by her penances became an inspiration to the sisters in her convent.

She passed away on January 30, 1640, at Viterbo, Italy of natural causes. She was canonized in 1807 by Pope Pius VII.
-Catholiconline

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Bathilde
2. Saint David Galván-Bermúdez
3. Saint Martina of Rome
4. Saint Adelelmus
5. Saint Aldegundis

Click here to read other articles of this series