Rasponi, Felice

Rasponi, Felice an Italian nun, was born at Ravenna in 1523 of an illustrious house, which, since the 12th century, had given prelates, captains, senators, and magistrates to several little Italian states. She was but three years old when the death of her father, senator Zeseo, left her to the care of a mother, who brought her up with great rigor. In order to divert her mind from the severe treatment she had to endure, she learned the Latin language; studied, in the translations, Aristotle and Plato; and made the works of the holy fathers the object of her constant meditations. She was compelled to enter the convent of Sant' Andrea di Ravenna. Her learning and beauty were celebrated by many poets of the time. She was chosen superior of the convent in 1507. She died July 3, 1573. She left a Traitl de la Connoissance de Dieu, and a Dialogue sur l'Excellence de l'Etat Monacal. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.