Bl. Columba of Rieti

Angela Guadagnoli was born in Rieti, Italy, in 1467 and called Columba ("dove"). From childhood she prayed much and did severe penances. She refused a noble marriage, and at nineteen she became a Dominican tertiary, a lay member of the order.

In 1488 she set out to follow St Catherine of Siena and settled in Perugia, where the people built her a convent. She worked to make peace between the city's warring factions and advised the ruling Baglioni family.

She died in Perugia in 1501.

Legend and tradition. Her name comes from the story that a dove flew to the font at her baptism. She was also credited with saving Perugia from the plague of 1494.

Columba of Rieti was beatified in 1625.

Beatification allows public veneration, usually in a particular region or religious family. Canonization extends it to the whole Church.