Blessed Diana d'Andalo: life, foundation and prayer
Blessed Diana d'Andalo (or Diana of Bologna), a young Dominican nun of Italian origin, founded a monastery of contemplative sisters in Bologna in the 13th century. She abandoned a life of worldliness and futility to devote herself to the Lord. Her closeness to Christ and her great piety were examples of holiness for many Christians, who were converted. Blessed Diane d'Andalo is celebrated by the Catholic Church on June 9 (or June 10). She was beatified on August 8, 1888 by Pope Leo XIII, or, according to other sources, on December 24, 1891 with two of her companions, Cecilia and Amata.
Biography of Blessed Diana
Blessed Diana of Bologna was born in Bologna in 1201 to a wealthy family, the Carbonesi. Accustomed to a worldly life, Diana was carefree and light-hearted, but after meeting Blessed Reginald, she decided to enter religion, and he became her spiritual director. Her family was vehemently opposed to this plan for a consecrated life (Blessed Diana was even injured by them when she wanted to enter the convent). From then on, however, she devoted her days to prayer. "Attracted by the Holy Spirit, she had begun to despise the pomp and vanity of the world, and to seek more and more the spiritual conversations of the Friars Preachers," wrote a contemporary of the young woman.
It was in 1218 that the Friars Preachers came to settle in Bologna, much to the delight of Diana, who greatly admired this order. Thanks to Diana, they were able to obtain the church of Saint-Nicolas-des-Vignes. Originally, the church was located on the lands of the d'Andalo family, who categorically refused to cede the church's patronage and adjacent land to them. But this was without taking into account the persuasiveness and tenacity of the young girl. She interceded on behalf of the brothers and won the case. It was with immense joy that Diane saw the friars' convent rise not far from her home.
In 1219 ,St. Dominic came to Bologna to visit the Friars Preachers. It was on this occasion that Diana met the holy man. She immediately admired him, and he saw in her a future nun. Towards the end of 1219, Saint Dominic accepted Blessed Diana's vows, but did not agree to her immediate entry into a convent. Then, in the presence of Blessed Reginald and other religious, before the altar of St. Nicholas, Diana vowed to enter religion. From then on, she considered herself consecrated to Christ. She continued to live with her father, wearing her silk garments overlaid with gold and silver, but spending her days in silence and prayer, praying ceaselessly, and inflicting upon herself the wearing of a silice and an iron belt.
On February 15, 1220, Saint Dominic founded a monastery of Dominican nuns at Saint-Sixte, modeled on Our Lady of Prouille. From that moment on, Diana had but one desire and goal: that a similar monastery be established in Bologna. She immediately spoke to St. Dominic, who agreed to the project, without actually starting construction. In 1221, Blessed Diana ardently confirmed her wish to Dominic, and the holy man realized that the time had come. He went to see the papal legate to explain the project, who immediately approved, as did Diana's vocation. Saint Dominic spoke to his brothers about founding a convent, and they supported him. The very next day he told them: "My brothers, we must build a monastery of nuns at all costs, even if we have to interrupt the construction of our own convent". As he had to leave Bologna, he entrusted this mission to four fathers of the community: Brother Paul from Hungary, Brother Guala, Brother Ventura from Verona and Brother Rodolphe from Faenza.
After long delays, numerous obstacles, the reluctance of her family and the death of St. Dominic on August 6, 1221, Blessed Diana founded the Dominican convent of St. Agnes in Bologna on May 13, 1223. On the following June 29, St. Dominic's successor, Jordan of Saxony, who had become Blessed Diana's great friend, solemnly introduced the young woman into the order, along with four other ladies from Bologna. Blessed Diana was Mother Superior of the convent until she gave up her soul to God on June 10, 1236.
Praying with Blessed Diana d'Andalo
With Blessed Dianne d'Andalo, let us pray to Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers, to pass on to us his humility of heart and his total trust in the Lord.
"Holy Father Dominic, invoked since time immemorial as 'light of the Church' and 'master of truth', I turn to you in all confidence.
Grant me, I pray, the grace to understand the Lord's will, the strength to walk in his ways, guided by the wisdom that comes from on high, the serenity of spirit that can only find peace in God alone.
I entrust to you my loved ones who have drifted away from the Church and religious practice, that they may rediscover the light of faith, the consolation of Christian hope, the joy of self-giving love.
Intercede above all for our young people, that they may find in Christ the ideal model of the new man, and in his Gospel the beacon that guides them along the paths of life.
I entrust myself to your help, holy father Dominic, and to that of the saints and blessed of your order whom divine Providence has raised up for a service of "charity
of truth", for the good of the Church and souls.
So be it."
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