[1] Della Rena was orphaned sometime in her late childhood and sought work as a maid in Florence where she soon became a member of the Augustinian tertiaries.

The religious then returned to Certaldo due to the negative Florentine economic and political climate where she became best known for rescuing a child from a burning building.

[2][3] Giulia della Rena was born to impoverished nobles (whose status began to wane) in Certaldo sometime in 1319.

[4] But the tumult in Florence caused her to return home to Certaldo where she rescued a child from a burning building in a move that brought her unwanted fame and attention.

[1] She then retired to live the remainder of her life as an anchoress in a small cell that was built to the church of Santi Jacopo e Filippo.