St. Catherine de Ricci--1522-1589

Catherine was the child of a noble family near Florence. Her own mother died while she was very young and so, taking the Blessed Mother as her stepmother, she developed a great devotion to Our Lady. When she was a little older, she went to a monastery where her aunt was the abbess. While in the convent she spent many hours in prayer. She would often pray before the crucifix and soon developed a great devotion to the Passion. Once her education in the convent was completed she declared her desire to become a Dominican Sister but her family interfered and took her home where she became deathly ill. Her father finally relented and she returned to the convent. At the age of 13 she received the habit from her uncle who was the confessor of the convent. She was often in ecstasy and, at the age of 20, she received the stigmata (the wounds of Christ in her own flesh) and began her weekly ecstasies of the Passion--which went on for the next 12 years. It is said that, when she was in her weekly ecstasies, her face would change and show the different pains and agonies of Jesus as he went through his passion. She was also superior of the convent for many years and under her leadership the convent was kept in good order. She was a kind and gentle superior who especially looked after the ill and the sick of the convent. Many troubled people from the convent and the surrounding area would come to her for advice, spiritual direction and prayer. Feast Day: February 13.

She is portrayed with a crown of thorns and the image of the suffering Christ, representing her weekly ecstasies of the passion.

Symbols: Crosier with lily insert over a cross; four roses.