GONDI, ANTONIO. – Florentine, of the RODEZ (v.) came, d. 18 September 1591. A man of great piety, friend and benefactor of the “shamefaced poor” and of charitable institutions, for 37 years procurator general of the Dominican convent of S. Vincenzo in Prato, he was the favorite disciple of s. Caterina de' Ricci.
The Saint wrote him numerous letters, but only a few, of secondary importance, have survived. Instead, there are abundant references and allusions interpolated in the letters written to other spiritual children, sufficient to make one understand the maternal tenderness with which he was surrounded. In her esteem, the Saint did not hesitate to compare him with s. Giovanni, the beloved disciple of Jesus.
BIBL.: Spiritual letters of s. Caterina de' Ricci, collected and elucidated by C. Guasti, Prato 1861, pp. 199, 297, 329; P. Bertini, S. Caterina de' Ricci, Florence 1935, pp. 302-309.
Felice da Mareto