Catherine de Ricci

See also: Ricci

Catherine de Ricci (of its Christian name, Alessandra Lucrezia Romola) was a nun Dominican, Third Order, although cloîtrée, born with Florence on April 23rd 1522 and died the February 2nd 1590.

It is mainly known in the world for its extreme mysticism and the exceptional occurrences of its life; she knew a extase miraculous, and authenticated however with the greatest care, in which she was plunged each week, since Thursday at midday until Friday with 16:00, during several years. In this state it passed by all the stages of the Passion of Christ, carrying it out indeed and presenting to the others in a remarkable way all that Marie had suffered when it was pilot event.

His/her father, Pier Francesco de Ricci belonged to an old and respected family bankers and traders. His/her mother, Ricasoli, died when the child was still small and it was raised by a devoted mother-in-law, Fiammetta da Diacceto. The latter observed soon at the young girl an unusual tendency to holiness - particularly by the solitary prayer - which it made any possible sound to encourage and develop. As of its childhood, Alessandra solved to join an religious order of strict observance; but the state of relaxation was there so general at this time that it occurred a long time before it could find what it wished. Its vocation was finally decided at the time of a stay with Prato, where it became acquainted with the Dominican convent of Saint-Vincent, founded in 1503 by nine ladies who had been enthusiastic disciples of Savonarole. Alessandra could find there a spirit of religious enthusiasm rather high, able to satisfy its ideal; and, after some difficulties with her father, it became beginner, took the veil in 1535 (adopting the name of Catherine) and made profession in 1536.

As well during its Noviciate as during four or five years after its profession, it was in hillock with humiliations of the community, incompetent to include/understand certain supernatural favors which it received; but its holiness and its humility ended up triumphing over it. It was then named at several important stations, being finally Prieur E or sub-prioress until her death. During all these years, while she discharged all her religious duties conscientiously, she felt and expressed an lively interest for all her family - especially her brothers - and for her many friends and her “spiritual children”. Large “the Extase of the Passion”, about which he is spoken higher, arrived for the first time in February 1542 and was renewed then each week during twelve years, after which she ceased, thus exauçant the prayers of Catherine itself and her community. The fame of this event brought so many people of all conditions and made as well know the name of Prato as the peace and the strict observance of the convent suffered from it. Catherine de Ricci lived at one time of great saints; among his contemporaries one quotes holy Charles Borromée, saint Philippe Néri and Sainte Marie-madeleine de Pazzi. With the two last one says that it could have miraculous talks, having never met them in a natural way. It was béatifiée in 1732 by Clément XII, after its cause had known many delays and it was canonized by Benoît XIV in 1746; they were two occasions great rejoicings with Prato, where its memory is always kept alive. The direct heiresses of its community always live with the convent of Saint-Vincent (called now usually Holy-Catherine) where its body always rests. It is celebrated on February 13rd.

Sources

This article is in the beginning a translation of the article of the Catholic Encyclopedia (public domain) St Catherine de' Ricci

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