Christiana of Lucca, Bl.

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CHRISTIANA OF LUCCA, BL.

Virgin; b. Castello di Santa Croce sull'Arno, Tuscany, Italy, 1240; d. there, Jan. 4, 1310. She was born into a poor family and was baptized Oringa, although in later life she was popularly called Christiana, perhaps in tribute to the particular reverence she had for the state of virginity. She went into the service of a noble family at Lucca, from whom she took leave to go on pilgrimage to Monte Gargano and assisi. On her return to Santa Croce she founded a convent there in 1279, giving it the Rule of St. augustine. She was famed for her devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin and was popularly acclaimed a saint. Her cult was affirmed by several popes and given official recognition in 1776.

Feast: Jan. 4; Feb. 18.

Bibliography: Acta Sanctorum Jan. 1 (1863) 650662. m. baciocchi de pÉon, La vergine Oringa (Florence 1926). p. pacchiani, La vergine santacrocese (San Miniato 1939).

[j. l. grassi]

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