Born in Florence, April 23,
1522, St. Catherine was Baptized
Alessandra Lucrezia Romola; she became a Dominican nun, of the Third
Order, though enclosed and died February 2, 1590. She is chiefly known
to the world for her highly mystical and miraculous life, and
especially as the subject of a marvelous, but fully and most carefully
authenticated ecstasy, into which she was rapt every week, from
Thursday at noon till 4 p.m. on Friday, for several years. In this
state she went through all the stages of Our Lord's Passion, actually
realizing, and showing forth to others with wonderful vividness, all
that His Blessed Mother suffered in witnessing it. Her father, Pier
Francesco dei Ricci, was one of an old and respected family of bankers
and merchants. Her mother of the Ricasoli family, died when she was a
small child, and she was brought up by a devoted stepmother, Fiammetta
da Diacceto. The latter soon observed the child's unusual tendency to
holiness, in particular, solitary prayer, and did her utmost to foster
and develop it. While still a child, Alessandra resolved to join some
strictly observant religious order; but the state of relaxation just
then was so universal that it was long before she could find what she
desired. Her vocation was finally decided during a stay at Prato, where
she made acquaintance with the Dominican Convent of San Vincenzio,
founded in 1503 by nine ladies who had been devoted followers of
Savonarola. Alessandra there found the spirit of religious fervour high
enough to satisfy even her ideal; and, after some difficulties with her
father, she entered the novtiate, was clothed in 1535 [taking the name
of Catherine], and professed in 1536.
Both
during her novitiate and for four-five years after profession, she was
subjected to humiliating trials from the community, owing to their
misunderstanding of some of the high supernatural favors she received;
but her holiness and humility eventually triumphed. She was then
appointed to one important office after another, finally remaining
prioress or sub prioress till her death. During all these years, while
conscientiously fulfilling every religious duty, she was feeling and
showing keen interest in all her relations-----especially her
brothers-----and in numerous friends and "spiritual children". The
great "Ecstasy of the Passion", above referred to, happened for the
first time in February, 1542, and was renewed every week afterwards for
twelve years, when it ceased in answer to the prayers of Catherine
herself and the community. The fame of it was bringing so many people
of every rank and calling to Prato that the peace and strict observance
of the convent were suffering. Catherine dei Ricci lived in an age of
great Saints; among her contemporaries were St. Charles Borromeo, St.
Philip Neri, and St. M. Magdalen de Pazzi. With the two last named she
is said to have held in different ways, miraculous acquaintances, never
having met them in a natural way. She was beatified in 1732 by Clement
XII, after many delays in the process, and canonized by Benedict XIV in
1746 on both occasions amid great rejoicings at Prato, where her memory
is always kept fresh. The lineal descendants of her community still
inhabit the convent of San Vincenzio [now commonly called Santa
Caterina], and there her body still reposes.
Her Feast is observed on
February 13.
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