Nicoletta, Saint
Nicoletta, Saint
(1381-1447) Virgin, foundress of the Colettine Poor Clares (Clarisses), born Corbie, France ; died Ghent, Belgium. Successively a Beguine , Benedictine , Urbanist Poor Clare, and a recluse, she entered the order of Poor Clares, was appointed superior general, and began a successful reform of the Poor Clare convent at Beaume, Switzerland, which spread rapidly through France , Savoy, Germany , and Flanders. Her rule prescribed that the nuns go barefooted, observe perpetual fast and abstinence, and practice extreme poverty. The reform also embraced the Franciscan friars (Coletani), suppressed, 1517 . Endowed with great spiritual gifts, many miracles were wrought through her, and she exerted remarkable moral influence over her associates. Represented in art delivering a soul from purgatory, and being carried to heaven by an angel . Emblems : a lamb, birds. Canonized, 1807 . Relics at Poligny. Feast , 6 March .