BAGNESI, MARIA BARTOLOMEA, blessed. - Born in Firenze on 15 Aug. 1514, died there on 28 May 1577. A strange illness kept her bedridden for almost forty-five years.
Around 1547 she took the habit of a Dominican tertiary, while remaining with her family. She bore physical sufferings and spiritual trials with heroic patience; moreover, she carried out extensive works of charity and apostolate among those who visited her. Guided in her religious life by the Dominicans and by a pious priest, Antonio Campi, she received Communion almost daily, often unable to tolerate any other nourishment. Because of the relations she had during her lifetime with the Carmelite monastery of S. Maria degli Angeli, she was buried there. S. Maria Maddalena de' Pazzi, who entered it some years later, was particularly devoted to her. Some letters of the blessed are preserved; her cult was approved by Pio VII on 11 July 1804. She is commemorated on 28 May.