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128 128 ST. BONA Mundicorda), Y. Supposed a nun in Egypt, in the 7th century. AA,SS., Prater. Worshipped at Treyiso. Migne. Ferrarius. St. Bona (2), Bova. St Bona (3), May 29, V. of Pisa. 1156-1207. Eeppesented carrying a pilgrim's staff and a short double-banred cross in her joined hands. She had three half-brothers, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Master of the Temple, and a Knight Hospitaller. From early youth she was under the direction of angels, and was the subject of visions. She led a life of great austerity, wearing a hair shirt and an iron belt under her clothes. Notwithstanding the opposition of her family, she went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and afterwards to Santiago de Compostella. During her joumeyings she was attacked and wounded by robbers ; she crossed rivers dry-shod, and otherwise miraculously helped herself and others. After her return, she built a church at Pisa in honour of St. James of Com- postella. She devoted herself to a religious life in the Order of Canons Begular. She died in the odour of sanctity. She was buried in the church of St. Martin, at Pisa, followed to the grave l)y the archbishop and a great concourse of people. An altar was afterwards dedicated there in her name. She was never canonized, but was worshipped at Pisa. AA.SS. Cahier, CaracUristiques, Husenbeth, Emblems. The ring with which she was married to Christ and the table at which He supped with her were reverently preserved at two monasteries near Pisa. Lives of the Brethren, St. Bona (4), Aug. 5. f ^240. 3rd O.S.F. St. Lucchese or Lucesio, and his wife St. Bona or Buona Donna, lived at St. Casciano, where several ' children were born to them. They afterwards removed to Poggibonsi. Lucchese took part with the Guelphs. He spent most of his substance in keep- ing up his rank. He then set about restoring his fortune by trade, and became a provision merchant. This trade brought iiim the temptation to wish for a famine for the sake of the profits he could make. He soon repented of his wicked desire, and, after the death of his children, he gave away all that he had, except a small sum with which he bought a little garden and maintained himself and his wife. He wished to join the Poor Friars, as the Brothers of St. Francis were called ; but not being able to do so, he prayed to be taught how to sanctify his soul in the world. He devoted himself to works of benevolence, begging from the rich for the sake of the poor, visiting the Maremma every summer, to minister to the wants of those who suffered from the heat and the unhealthy air, at the same time exhorting them to repentance and righteousness. At first Bona blamed his excessive charity, and feared he would leave her and himself in destitution. One day she was angry with him for giving away the last morsel of bread in the house. He answered that He who had multiplied the five loaves would be able to provide for them. Presently some beggars came to the door, and Lucchese told his wife to go to the cup- board and get them something. She laughed, knowing the place was empty ; but he again bade her go. She went, and found a large supply of bread. From that time she always gave without stint, and when St. Francis came, preach- ing poverty and charity, Bona was as ready as her husband to receive his instructions. Such was the compunction caused by the preaching of this great apostle, that numbers of people crowded into the monasteries, and thousands more were dis- posed to foUow, regarding the cloistered life as the only way of saving their souls. St Francis discouraged this movement ; he told them they could not secure their salvation by burying themselves in the religious houses, and that many of them would serve God better by carrying on their ordinary business righteously and bringing up their children virtuously. It was for such as these that, in 1221, he instituted his Third Order. The rule was simple, and it was expressly declared that it did not oblige under pain of sin. Four things were required of the candidates: (1^ restoration of all goods unjustly acquired ; (2) reconciliation with all adversaries : (3) observance of