ANTONIA OF BRESCIA. - Dominican mystic, born in Brescia around 1407, died in Ferrara on 27 October 1507. Of the Guaineri family, she grew up exceedingly virtuous from childhood. Having entered the Dominican monastery of St Catherine the Martyr in Brescia, she lived in seclusion, loving humiliations. At the age of 40, however, she was placed in charge of a group of religious women tasked with restoring observance in the monastery of St Catherine the Martyr in Ferrara.
Her wise leadership transformed the Ferrarese house into a model of full regular life, which it then imparted to other monasteries. But Antonia’s severity aroused some discontent; the vicar general deposed her from the office of prioress, assigning her the lowest place in the community after the lay sisters. Antonia was glad of this; later she was reinstated in office. She enjoyed exceptional divine favours (visions, voices) and died a centenarian. The cult paid to her immediately has not yet been officially sanctioned by the Church. The Bollandists have included her acts under 27 October.