BL. CATHERINE OF RACCONIGI. - Dominican tertiary, born at Racconigi to Giorgio de Mattei and Biblia de Ferrari in 1486, died at Caramagna on 4 Sept. 1547. At the age of 13 she consecrated herself to God with a vow of virginity, and at 38 entered the Third Order of St Dominic, leading a life of penance and reparation for sinners.
The Lord adorned her with many mystical gifts, such as visions, prophecies, stigmata and miracles. She was therefore powerful in works of zeal, converted countless souls, and was held in great veneration, so much so that Giovanni F. Pico della Mirandola, nephew of the great humanist, wrote her life while she was still alive. In 1548 her body was transferred to Garessio in the church of the Dominicans, and her cult spread rapidly. Racconigi, delivered three times from the plague through her intercession, erected a graceful church in her honour in 1836. In various places of Piedmont she is venerated as patroness of ribbon-makers and workers. Pius VII confirmed her cult on 9 Apr. 1808, extending it to Turin, Saluzzo, Mondovì and the Order of St Dominic.