SFORZA, SERAFINA (SVEVA), Blessed. - Poor Clare, b. at Urbino c. 1434, daughter of Guido, duke of Montefeltro; d. at Pesaro in 1478.
Sister of Federico da Montefeltro, in 1448 she married Alessandro Sforza, lord of Urbino. During her husband’s not infrequent absences, as he took part in the various military campaigns of his brother Lodovico il Moro, she ably bore the responsibilities of government. In 1457 Alessandro, in order to conceal his own infidelities, accused his wife of this crime, compelling her to retire to the local monastery of the Poor Clares. Two years later she took the habit, changing her baptismal name of Sveva to that of Serafina. Having become abbess, she was an example to all in regular observance, piety, and charity toward the sick. Her cult was approved by Benedetto XIV on 17 July 1754. Feast: 8 Sept.