Saint Catherine of Ricci
Saint Catherine of Ricci (born April 23, 1522 AD in Florence, Italy; died February 2, 1590 AD in Prato, Italy) was a Dominican nun at San Vincenzo Convent in Prato, Tuscany, who received the stigmata, experienced weekly ecstasies lasting from Thursday to Friday in re-living the Passion of Christ, and had a remarkable spiritual friendship (through letters and, according to tradition, apparitions) with Saint Philip Neri. She was canonized by Pope Benedict XIV in 1746. Her feast day is February 13.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Catherine of Ricci
| Saint Catherine of Ricci | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | February 13 |
| Profession | Dominican nun; prioress of San Vincenzo Convent, Prato (multiple terms); mystic; recipient of the stigmata; weekly Passion ecstatic; spiritual friend of Saint Philip Neri |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Dominican Order; 16th-century Counter-Reformation mysticism; Tuscan Dominican tradition; contemplative mystic |
| Patronage | Those who suffer from illness; those who meditate on the Passion; Prato; Tuscany; Dominican nuns; mystics; those who have spiritual friendships |
| Attributes | Dominican white and black habit; stigmata wounds on hands and feet; a crown of thorns; cross (Passion devotion); ring (mystical marriage to Christ); letters (her correspondence with Philip Neri); Prato convent in background |
| Birthplace | Florence, Italy |
| Death Place | Prato, Tuscany, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died February 2, 1590 AD, at the Dominican convent of San Vincenzo in Prato; she was 67 years old; she had been professed at San Vincenzo since age 14 (1536) and had served as prioress for many years; she died peacefully among her sisters; her body was found incorrupt; she had been ill for the last years of her life; she was beatified 1732, canonized 1746 |
| Primary Shrine | Convent of San Vincenzo, Prato — her body and chapel; February 13 feast; active Dominican community; Tuscan pilgrimage |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); February 13; Feast in Dominican Order and Tuscany |
| Historic Class | Double (February 13) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Alessandra Lucrezia Romola de' Ricci was born April 23, 1522, in Florence, to a wealthy Florentine merchant family. She entered the Dominican convent of San Vincenzo in Prato at age 13 and was professed in 1536.
Beginning in 1542 she experienced weekly ecstasies lasting from Thursday noon to Friday at 4 PM, in which she re-lived the Passion of Christ in her body. The ecstasies continued regularly for twelve years and were witnessed by hundreds of people. She received the stigmata, which were examined by doctors.
She served multiple terms as prioress of San Vincenzo and was a respected administrator and spiritual director. Despite never meeting in person, she had a documented spiritual friendship with Saint Philip Neri in Rome — conducted by letter and, according to witnesses, through bilocation.
She died February 2, 1590, in Prato. Her body was found incorrupt. She was beatified 1732 and canonized by Pope Benedict XIV in 1746.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Florence, Italy
Death location: Prato, Tuscany, Italy
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Parishes
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Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Catherine of Ricci - February 13th | Under 5 minutes | Saint of the Day |
Shrines
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Known shrines
- Convent of San Vincenzo, Prato — her body; February 13 feast; active Dominican community.
Feast day
February 13
Veneration
Saint Catherine of Ricci was a Dominican nun in Prato who experienced weekly Passion ecstasies lasting 28 hours for twelve years, received the stigmata, and had a bilocating spiritual friendship with Saint Philip Neri. Canonized 1746. Feast February 13.
Prayers
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