St. Catherine de Ricci (1522–1590) is one of the beloved saints of the Catholic Church. Catherine de Ricci was an Italian Dominican nun and mystic who experienced ecstatic visions of Christ's Passion every week from Thursday noon to Friday afternoon for twelve consecutive years. The Church celebrates St. Catherine de Ricci's feast on 02-13.
Catholic Daily brings you the life of St. Catherine de Ricci as part of our commitment to helping Catholics encounter the saints of the liturgical calendar every morning. Whether you are discovering St. Catherine de Ricci for the first time or deepening a long-standing devotion, this page offers biography, prayers, and practical guidance for honoring this holy patron in your daily life.
Early Life and Calling of St. Catherine de Ricci
Catherine de Ricci was an Italian Dominican nun and mystic who experienced ecstatic visions of Christ's Passion every week from Thursday noon to Friday afternoon for twelve consecutive years. She served as prioress of her convent in Prato and was sought out for spiritual counsel by bishops, cardinals, and even three future popes. She carried the stigmata and wore a mystical ring visible only to certain people.
The vocation of St. Catherine de Ricci reminds us that holiness is not the exclusive domain of monks and nuns but the universal call of every baptized Christian. The Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium teaches that all the faithful are called to the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity — and St. Catherine de Ricci's life is a shining example of that universal call answered with total generosity.
Patron Saint: The sick
St. Catherine de Ricci is honored as the patron saint of The sick. The designation of patron saints is a beautiful expression of the Catholic doctrine of the Communion of Saints — the belief that the saints in heaven are not distant figures from the past but active intercessors who accompany us in our earthly journey.
Those who work in or are associated with The sick have traditionally invoked St. Catherine de Ricci's intercession for protection, guidance, and grace in their particular circumstances. The patronage of St. Catherine de Ricci is grounded in the specific details of Ricci's life and ministry, which created a lasting bond between this saint and those who share similar callings or needs.
How to Honor St. Catherine de Ricci in Your Daily Life
The Church's tradition offers many beautiful ways to honor St. Catherine de Ricci and seek Ricci's intercession:
On the Feast Day (02-13): Attend Mass if possible, as the liturgy on Ricci's feast day will often include readings and prayers that illuminate Ricci's particular sanctity. Light a candle before an image of St. Catherine de Ricci and spend a few minutes in prayer.
Daily Devotion: Place an image or icon of St. Catherine de Ricci in your home — in your prayer corner, on your desk, or in your car. A simple morning invocation, "St. Ricci, pray for us," draws Ricci's intercession into your day.
Novena: A nine-day novena to St. Catherine de Ricci can be prayed before the feast day (beginning nine days prior) or at any time of particular need. Many Catholics have reported profound graces through novena prayer.
Study: Read a biography of St. Catherine de Ricci. The lives of the saints are the living commentary on the Gospel — they show us what it looks like to follow Christ in a particular time, culture, and vocation.
Prayer to St. Catherine de Ricci
O glorious St. Catherine de Ricci, whose life was a testament to the love and power of Almighty God, look upon us with mercy from your place before His throne. You who walked the path of holiness with courage and fidelity, intercede for us who struggle in the pilgrimage of faith. Obtain for us from God the graces we most need — especially [state your intention here] — and help us to follow your example of love, courage, and total surrender to God's will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Feast Day Prayer (from the Roman Missal):Lord our God, you have given us St. Catherine de Ricci as a witness to your goodness and mercy. May we who honor Ricci's memory imitate Ricci's virtues and one day share Ricci's joy in your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Catherine de Ricci in Art and Catholic Tradition
St. Catherine de Ricci has been depicted in Catholic sacred art for centuries. Traditional iconography of the saints communicates theological truths through visual symbols — a language that transcends words and speaks directly to the heart.
Common symbols associated with St. Catherine de Ricci in Catholic art may include:
- A halo or nimbus, indicating canonized sainthood
- Specific objects or instruments associated with Ricci's life or martyrdom
- Liturgical vestments corresponding to Ricci's state of life (religious habit, episcopal robes, or lay clothing)
- A palm branch, if St. Catherine de Ricci is a martyr
A lesser-known fact about St. Catherine de Ricci: She is reliably reported to have appeared bilocated to St. Philip Neri in Rome on multiple occasions, though she never physically left her convent in Prato, and both confirmed the meetings.
When praying before an image of St. Catherine de Ricci, allow the symbols to draw your attention to the virtues they represent. Sacred art is not decoration but theology made visible — a window through which the heavenly reality shines into our earthly prayer.