CATERINA da RACCONIGI, blessed. - Dominican, 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 the Lord by a vow of virginity, and at 28 entered the Dominican Third Order, leading there a life of penance and reparation for sinners.
The Lord endowed 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, to the church of the Dominicans, and her cult spread rapidly. Racconigi, delivered three times from the plague through her intercession, erected a charming church in her honour in 1836. In various places in Piemonte she is venerated as patroness of ribbon manufacturers and workers. Pio VII confirmed her cult on 9 Apr. 1808, extending it to Torino, Saluzzo, Mondovì, and the Order of S. Domenico.