Andreasini, Osanna, Blessed

ANDREASI, OSANNA, blessed. - Dominican tertiary, born in Mantova to Nicola Andreasi (not Andreassi) and Agnese Gonzaga on 17 Jan. 1449, died there on 18 June 1505. At the age of 15 she took the habit of the Dominican Third Order, which she retained until her death, always living in the world. She combined contemplation with the apostolate, and distinguished herself by humility, charity, and ardent zeal for souls. She was a mother to the poor and a counsellor of princes. The Dominican Francesco Silvestri da Ferrara and the Benedictine Girolamo da Mantova, an Olivetan, who knew her well, wrote her life. She was buried in the church of S. Domenico in Mantova. Her cult was granted to the Dominican Order and to the diocese of Mantova, where she is greatly venerated, by Leone X and Innocenzo XII (1694). Her feast is celebrated on 20 June.