Saint Catherine de' Ricci

Life story

Alessandra Lucrezia Romola de' Ricci was born on 23 April 1522 in Florence, into a respected family of bankers and merchants. Her mother died early, and a stepmother supported her early piety. From childhood she wished to join a strictly observant religious order.

She chose the Dominican convent of San Vincenzio at Prato, founded in 1503 by nine followers of Savonarola. After a dispute with her father she entered at thirteen. In 1535 she received the habit and the name Catherine, and she professed in 1536. For four or five years after her profession the community treated her harshly because it misunderstood the extraordinary experiences she reported. In the end her holiness and humility were recognized. She held a series of offices and finished her life as prioress or sub-prioress.

From February 1542, according to the sources, she went through a weekly ecstasy of the Passion, lasting from noon on Thursday until four on Friday afternoon. It recurred each week for twelve years and then ceased in answer to the prayers of Catherine and the community. The fame of it drew crowds to Prato and disturbed the life of the convent. Tradition also says that she appeared to Saint Philip Neri in Rome although the two never met; this is a traditional report, not a documented event.

She stayed in touch with her brothers, friends and many “spiritual children,” and her letters were published in Florence in 1890. She died on 2 February 1590, and her body is kept at the convent of San Vincenzio, now usually called Santa Caterina, in Prato. Pope Clement XII beatified her in 1732 and Pope Benedict XIV canonized her in 1746.

Works and witness

• Entered the Dominican convent of San Vincenzio at Prato at thirteen and received the habit in 1535
• Held several offices and was prioress or sub-prioress
• According to the sources, had a weekly ecstasy of the Passion from February 1542
• Wrote many letters to relatives, friends and people seeking advice
• Canonized in 1746

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia (1908), entry St. Catherine de' Ricci (New Advent, cathen/03444a)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.