CATERINA de' RICCI, Saint. — A Dominican, born on 23 April 1522 in Florence, from the first marriage of her father, Pierfrancesco. Alessandra (this was her baptismal name) spent her childhood first in her noble and numerous family, then in the Benedictine monastery of S. Pietro di Monticelli and at Villa di S. Paolo near Prato. On 18 May 1535 she took the Dominican habit in the monastery of S. Vincenzo in Prato, taking the name of C. In that community the spirit of Savonarola was still alive. Of generous and resolute character, she wonderfully united spiritual energy with gentleness of soul. After serving as mistress of novices and sub-prioress, she governed the monastery for seven two-year terms, between 1552 and 1558, as prioress. As a spiritual director she also guided many laypeople. Consulted on the most varied spiritual matters by laypersons (such as Giovanna d’Austria, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, and Antonio de’ Gondi, among others), by priests, bishops, and cardinals, she maintained relations with St Charles Borromeo, St Philip Neri, St Pius V, and St Maria Maddalena de’ Pazzi, supporting their work of Catholic reform with advice and prayer. Besides her familiar letters, written in pure and pleasant style and addressed to her devotees and disciples, she left other writings and a “laud” in honour of Savonarola, whom she particularly venerated.
Endowed with extraordinary gifts (conversion of hearts, stigmata, ecstatic visions, and the reproduction in her body of the Passion, which occurred from Thursday afternoon to Friday from 1542 to 1554), C. appeared to her contemporaries as a living manifestation of the redeeming Passion of Jesus, attracting many devotees and visitors to Prato. The “cantu passionis” *Amici mei*, composed of scriptural passages and inspired by her, has found a place in the *Processionarium Ordinis Praedicatorum*. The Saint recommends peace and joy to be acquired in the “strong struggle” with ourselves. Obedient to the inspirations of God, the soul must ascend through the steps of trials to selfless abandonment to the divine will. Though so rich in sublime ascetic fervour, C. was a shrewd and balanced woman, attentive to the everyday concerns of life.
C. died on 2 February 1590 and was canonized by Benedict XIV on 29 June