St. Catherine dei Ricci

Patron Saint of the Sick

Catherine’s father, Pier Francesco dei Ricci, was of an old and respected family of Florence.

Her mother died when she was a small child, and Catherine was brought up by a devoted stepmother, Fiammetta da Diacceto.

Her stepmother soon observed the child's unusual tendency to holiness, and did her utmost to foster and develop it.

At the age of thirteen, Catherine entered a Dominican convent at Prato, where she suffered from a number of diseases for two years. She sanctified her suffering with great patience, and often meditated on the Passion of Our Lord as she endured her illnesses.

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