Autobiography of an Aspiring SaintCharged by the Venetian Inquisition with the conscious and cynical feigning of holiness, Cecelia Ferrazzi (1609-1684) requested and obtained the unprecedented opportunity to defend herself through a presentation of her life story. Ferrazzi's unique inquisitorial autobiography and the transcripts of her preceding testimony, expertly transcribed and eloquently translated into English, allow us to enter an unfamiliar sector of the past and hear 'another voice'—that of a humble Venetian woman who had extraordinary experiences and exhibited exceptional courage. Born in 1609 into an artisan family, Cecilia Ferrazzi wanted to become a nun. When her parents' death in the plague of 1630 made it financially impossible for her to enter the convent, she refused to marry and as a single laywoman set out in pursuit of holiness. Eventually she improvised a vocation: running houses of refuge for "girls in danger," young women at risk of being lured into prostitution. Ferrazzi's frequent visions persuaded her, as well as some clerics and acquaintances among the Venetian elite, that she was on the right track. The socially valuable service she was providing enhanced this impresssion. Not everyone, however, was convinced that she was a genuine favorite of God. In 1664 she was denounced to the Inquisition. The Inquisition convicted Ferrazzi of the pretense of sanctity. Yet her autobiographical act permits us to see in vivid detail both the opportunities and the obstacles presented to seventeenth-century women. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Andriana Anne Jacobson Schutte asked autobiography Barbaro begged Burano called Cannaregio Cappuccine Cecilia Ferrazzi century chastity Chiaramonte Chicago Press Christine de Pizan communion confessed confessional confessor convent of Santa Cuccina daughters Devil Discalced Carmelite Early Modern Europe Edward Muir Father Alvise female Ferrazzi Francesco Friar gave Giorgio Polacco Giovanni di Rialto girls in danger Holy Mother Holy Office humanist Illustrious inquisitor interrogated Italian Jesuit living Lord male medieval misogynist Morosini Nicolò obedience obey Orsetta Padua pain Paolo Parish church Patriarch patrician Pietro pievano of San prayer praying priest Renaissance replied Roman Inquisition saints San Giovanni San Giovanni Evangelista San Lorenzo San Severo Sant'Antonio di Castello Santa Maria Maggiore Santa Teresa saying sestiere sexual signor pievano Signor Polacco Signora Marietta Cappello sister soul stayed suffer Tedeschi telling tion told took tradition translated University Press Venetian Venice Virgin voice woman women