ST. CATHERINE 161 In her conyent of Corpo di Cristo are preserved several miniatures painted by her with great care and delicacy. One pic- ture of the Infant Christ — her favourite subject — used to be sent to sick persons to cure them of wliatsoever disease they had. She is said to have been a pupU of Lippo Dalmasio. In the Pinacoteca at Bologna is a small picture on wood, of St. IJbsula, standing, and gathering her kneeling companions under her mantle. It is signed " Catertna Vigri /. 1452." It was given to the Academy of Fine Arts by Count Charles Marescalchi. Baruffaldi says his most treasured pos- session was the daily Psalter Catherine used and read ; it was written on parch- ment. In the margin of the first page was the Bambino in swaddling-bands, very minutely drawn and most beauti- fully painted in pure and brilliant colour- ing. After his time it became one of the treasures of the cathedral at Ferrara. One book was undoubtedly written by this saint; it is entitled, Lihro delle Baiiaglie Spiriiuali e delle iette arme per vineerle. Another book of revelations has been attributed to her. Some Latin Yerses, called '*The Hosary," are said to have been dictated to her by the Saviour. Two portraits of her are still to be seen — one by Zuccheri, formerly in the church of Sta. Maria delle Grazie, now in the Casa Hercolani; the other, and better painted, by Julio Morina, represents the vision she had of Christ and the Blessed Virgin with SS. Stephen and Lawrence. It is in the Pinacoteca. B.M, Her Life, by Grassetti, is in the Bollandist collection, and was trans- lated into English for the London Ora- tory. Barotti, Memorie Isioriche di Leiterati Ftrrareai, Ticozzi, Dizionario degli Architetti, etc. Amorini, Viie de* Pitiori Bdofinesi. Baruffaldi, Pittori Ferrare&i, Mrs. Jameson, Legends of the Monastic Orders, B. Catherine (lO) Morigia, April 0, V. of Pallanza. f 1478. Founder and first abbess of the nuns of St. Am- brose ad Nemus, and of the convent of Santa Maria del Monte, at Yarasio. Bom at Pallanza, a little town on Lake Maggiore. On the appearance of the plague there, in 1437, her father, mother, and twelve children fled to Ugovia, where they all died of it except Catherine. She was then consigned to the care of Catherine di Silenzo, a lady of rank and of great reputation for sanctity. After her death, Catherine lived for a short time with some pious women at Monte Yaraiso, near Pallanza, and tended them during the plague, of which they all died. She afterwards had it herself, and was miraculously cured on her return to her native place. She then went back to Yarasio, and was joined by B. Juliana, B. Bivia, and two others. After living in great piety and austerity for some years, they obtained permission to adopt the rule of St. Augustine, the dress of the monks of St. Ambrose ad Nemus, with the black veil, and to have a garden and cemetery attached to their retreat, which then became a regular convent. Each abbess was to be ap- pointed for three years, but Catherine did not live to finish her term. Her body remained uncorrupt and flexible many years after death. Helyot, Hist. Ord. Mon,, iv. chap. 9. Her name is in the Calendar of the Order of St. Augus- tine. A,B.M. B. Catherine (ll), O.S.D., nun in the convent of Monteregio, at Siena. 1 1498. Pio. St. Catherine fl2), or Cattebina FiESGHi Adorno, March 20, Sept. 14, 15, March 22, of Genoa. 1 447-1 5 1 0. Bepresented holding a burning heart and a crucifix. For several centuries the Fieschi were counts of Lavagna, and among the most illustrious families in Italy. They were vicars of the empire, and, with other privileges, enjoyed the right of coining money in the republic of Genoa. Popes Innocent lY. and Adrian Y., as well as many cardinals and famous Genoese generals, were of this family. Catherine's father was Giacomo Fieschi, viceroy of Naples, under Rene of Anjou, king of Sicily. From her infancy she was re- markable for her gentle and submissive disposition, and from a very early age for her piety and self-deniaL At thirteen she wished to become a nun, but when she applied for admission at the convent of Our Lady of Grace, they M
