Saint Catherine de Ricci

Saint Catherine de Ricci was born in Florence in 1522 to a well-known family and was baptized with the name Alexandrina. Her inclination to solitary prayer was already observed in early childhood. At 13, she entered the Dominican convent of strict observance in the neighboring city of Prato, where she took the name of her deceased mother, Catherine. God, in the merciful design, to make her the spouse of his crucified Son, and to imprint in her soul dispositions conformable to his, was pleased to exercise her patience through rigorous trials. After five years, during which she was much misunderstood and maligned, her holiness was recognized, and she was advanced to the novice mistress, then sub-prioress, and finally, in 1560, to the prioress, which she remained until her death 30 years later. 

The reputation of her extraordinary sanctity and prudence drew her many visits from a great number of bishops, princes, and cardinals-among them, the Cardinals Cervini, Alexander of Medicis, and Aldobrandini, who all three were afterward raised to St. Peter's chair, under the names of Marcellus II, Clement VIII, and Leo XI. Her famous ""Ecstasy of the Passion"", which would last from Thursday noon until 4 p.m. on Friday, began in 1542 and continued each week for 12 years. During these ecstasies, which have been fully authenticated, Catherine would witness all the stages of Our Lord's sufferings. The wounds Our Saviour suffered during the flagellation, the crowning with thorns, the carrying of the Cross, and finally, the Crucifixion became visible in her body. Crowds began to gather to witness her prayer and ecstasies, and it began to distract from the life of the convent. Catherine herself was embarrassed by all the attention. The community prayed that her wounds and experience would lessen in intensity so that they could go about the work of their common life together, and in 1554 the visions ceased. 

St. Catherine also had the gift of miracles and is known to have held what might be termed telepathic conversation with such contemporary Saints as St Philip Neri in Rome and St Mary Magdalen de Pazzi in Florence, whom she had ever met without leaving her convent in Prato. After a long illness, she passed from this mortal life to everlasting on the feast of the Purification of our Lady, on 2 February, in 1589, the sixty-seventh year of her age. The ceremony of her beatification was performed by Clement XII in 1732, and that of her canonization by Benedict XIV in 1746.

God of enduring love, You called St. Catherine de Ricci to a life of holiness; may we live in the grace of Your enduring love bringing the peace of Your presence to others.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.