Diana d'Andalò, Blessed

DIANA d'ANDALÒ, blessed. — Dominican, born around 1200, died in Bologna on 10(?) June 1236. Daughter of Andrea (Andalò) and niece of Pietro Lovello, D. attended the preaching of the Dominicans in Bologna from 1218–19, and met St. Dominic, in whose hands she made a vow, probably to become a nun. The bishop refused the foundation of the monastery in the vicinity of Bologna. On 22 July 1221, D. took refuge in the monastery of the Canonesses of Ronzano, from which her relatives abducted her, causing her to fracture a rib in the ensuing struggle. St. Dominic wrote her several letters. Back again at Ronzano (November 1222–June 1223), D., together with four other nuns, received the habit on 29 June 1223 from Bl. Jordan of Saxony at S. Agnese of Bologna. In her foundation, D. was never prioress, but served as spiritual mother to fifty nuns. From 1222 to 1235 extends Jordan’s precious correspondence with D. D.’s letters have been lost. In 1891 Leo XIII confirmed the cult of D., together with that of Cecilia and Amata of the same monastery.