Blessed Caterina Cittadini

Biography

Blessed Caterina Cittadini, also known as Katarina Cittadini, was born on 28 September 1801 in Bergamo, Italy. She was the daughter of Giovanni Battista and Magherita Lanzani. Sadly, when Caterina was only seven years old, her mother passed away, and her father abandoned her and her younger sister Giuditta. However, they found solace and support in the orphanage of the Conventino of Bergamo, where they were accepted and raised.

It was during her time at the orphanage that Caterina developed a deep faith, nurtured a sense of responsibility as an elder sister, and grew in devotion to Our Lady and Saint Jerome Emiliani. In 1823, the sisters left the orphanage to live with their cousins, Giovanni and Antonio Cittadini, who were both parish priests in Calolzio, Italy. Caterina's vocation as a teacher began in 1824 when she became a teacher at a girl's public school in Somasca.

While teaching, Caterina felt a strong calling to the religious life, and her spiritual director recommended that she and her sister remain in Somasca and become the foundation of a new congregation. Acting upon this advice, in 1826, Caterina and Giuditta rented a house in Somasca, bought and furnished a building, and in October of that year, they opened a boarding school for girls. At the school, Caterina not only taught religion but also managed the institution and introduced the oratory style of education for her students.

Word of Caterina's success as an educator spread, leading to an increasing number of students attending the school. Inspired by this growth, the sisters established two more private schools, both under the name "Cittadini." However, tragedy struck when Giuditta, Caterina's beloved sister and collaborator, passed away suddenly in 1840. Following this heartbreaking loss, Caterina experienced more sorrow as her cousin, Father Antonio Cittadini, and her spiritual director from the orphanage also passed away shortly after. These consecutive losses deeply affected Caterina's health, causing her to fall gravely ill. However, she was miraculously cured through the intercession of Saint Jerome Emiliani, to whom she had a special devotion.

Given her dedication to the schools, caring for orphans, and guiding her three companions, Caterina made the decision to resign from her public teaching position in 1845. As the schools grew, she felt the need to organize the work and lives of her companions more systematically and began writing the beginnings of a new rule, similar to those of established religious orders.

Caterina's commitment to the spiritual growth of her community and the desire to have a proper place for the Blessed Sacrament led her to seek permission to build a private oratory at her boarding school in 1850. The following year, in 1851, she applied for formal approval of her new religious family. Initially, her bishop encouraged her work and advised her to write the rules for the new order. However, her first attempt, based on the Constitution of the Ursulines of Milan, was rejected. Undeterred, Caterina made a second attempt, and on 17 September 1854, her revised rule received acceptance under the title Orsoline Gerolimiane (Ursuline Sisters of Somasca).

Unfortunately, Caterina did not witness the official approval of her order, as she passed away on 5 May 1857 in Somasca, Bergamo, Italy, from natural causes. Nonetheless, just six months after her death, on 14 December 1857, the bishop of Bergamo granted his approval to the order. Further recognition came on 8 July 1927 when the Holy See officially recognized the Orsoline Gerolimiane as a religious congregation.

The primary mission of the Orsoline Gerolimiane is to teach and care for the abandoned. Today, the congregation continues its important work in various countries, including Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Brazil, Bolivia, India, and the Philippines.

Blessed Caterina Cittadini's life and dedication to educating and serving others have been acknowledged and celebrated. She was venerated on 17 December 1996 by Pope John Paul II, and her beatification took place on 29 April 2001 at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City, also by Pope John Paul II. Her example of faith, compassion, and commitment continues to inspire many, especially those involved in education and caring for the marginalized and abandoned.