FORNARI STRADA, Maria Vittoria, Blessed. – Foundress of a religious order, born at Genoa in 1562, died there on 15 December 1617. Married, she had six children, five of whom entered religious life. After nine years a widow, she was able to realize her religious ideal by founding in 1604, with some companions, the Congregation of the Celestine Annunciates (commonly called the “Turche” from the color of their habit), dedicated to a penitential and contemplative life. The Institute received the approval of Clement VIII, Paul V, Gregory XV, and Urban VIII. The foundress was beatified by Leo XII on 2 September 1828; her feast is celebrated on 12 September.
Bibl.: P. F. A. Spinola, Vita di M. V. F., Genoa 1640; D. Baudot, Dictionnaire d'historiographie, Paris 1925, p. 447. Antonio Cistellini