Daughter of John de’ Vigri and Benvenuta Mammolini, Catherine was born in Bologna, and later educated at the court of d’Este family in Ferrara. She then joined a group of Secular Franciscans in Ferrara who embraced the Rule of St. Clare in 1431. As mistress of novices in Ferrara, she wrote some spiritual books. At Christmas 1445, she experienced an intimate vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Divine Child. Artistic and of lively temperament, obedience and charity came only with years of struggle. In 1456, she founded in Bologna another Poor Clare Convent, a real centre of spirituality. Catherine was canonised in 1712 by Clement XI.
First Reading: Song of Songs 8: 6-7; Gospel: Mt. 16: 24-27
