Battistina Vernazza

Battistina Vernazza (secular name Tommasina Vernazza) (born at Genoa, 1497; died there, 1587) was a patrician, founder of several hospitals for the sick poor in Genoa, Rome, and Naples. He was also known for founding the ecclesiastical reform society the Oratory of Divine Love. Her godmother was Catherine Fieschi-Adorno, known as Catherine of Genoa. At the early age of 13, Tommasina entered the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie, and became a canoness regular, taking the name of Battistina. She filled at various times the office of treasurer, novice-mistress, and prioress.

Works

She wrote, among other things, a commentary on the Pater Noster; "The Union of the soul with God"; "Of the knowledge of God"; "Of prayer"; "Of the heavenly joys and of the means of attaining them"; "Of those who have risen with Christ"; meditations, spiritual canticles, and letters to eminent men of her time.