BRONDI, MARIA CATERINA. – Mystic, born in Sarzana on 24 March 1684, died in Pisa on 28 July 1719. Extraordinary phenomena accompanied her mystical journey: ecstasies, revelations, participation in the sufferings of the Passion (for three hours nailed to an invisible Cross), levitations (she dragged two religious women along with her), extreme penances, and absolute fasting for months and years. Her life abounded in the charisms that often mark the unitive way and infused contemplation. Because of these supernatural manifestations, she gave rise to much theological discussion.
C. N. Bambacari published an interesting biography of her, especially as documentation (it reports various accounts, letters, and spiritual writings of B.). Particularly noteworthy was the fact that, as proof to her confessor that she could subsist solely on Holy Communion, she obtained that four people, without experiencing any discomfort, should remain for nine days without touching any food or drink. This case, submitted, with the testimony of the women concerned and the examiners’ oath, to the bishop of Sarzana and the Holy Office, received a favorable response twice, and permission was granted to B. to care for the sick in the hospitals of Genoa (1714) and Pisa (1719).