Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Ricci, Scipione bishop of Pistoja and Prato, in the duchy of Tuscany, was born at Florence Jan. 9, 1741, of parents belonging to an ancient and honorable family. He was early brought under Jansenistic influence, and developed the tendencies so received while pursuing his etheological studies with the Florentine Benedictines. In 1766 he became a … Continue reading “Ricci, Scipione”

Ricci, Michael Angelo a learned Italian ecclesiastic, was born in Rome in 1619. He was created a cardinal in 1681, and died in 1683. He was skilled in mathematical sciences, and published at Rome (4to) Exercitatio Geometrica, which was reprinted in London, and annexed to Mercator’s Logarithmotechnia. See Landi, Hist. Lit. d’Italie; Fabroni, Vitoe Ital. … Continue reading “Ricci, Michael Angelo”

Ricci, Matteo Jesuit, founder of the Catholic Chinese missions. Born on 6 October 1552 in Macerata, Italy; died on 11 May 1610 in Beijing, China. In 1578 with Father de Ruggieri, he began missionary labors at Chao-k’ing, Canton; he first won the interest of the natives by exhibiting scientific instruments, then gradually introduced religious instruction. … Continue reading “Ricci, Matteo”

Ricci, Lorenzo General of the Society of Jesus b. at Florence, 2 Aug., 1703; d. at the Castle of Sant’ Angelo, Rome, 24 Nov., 1775. He belonged to one of the most ancient, and illustrious families of Tuscany. He had two brothers, one of whom subsequently became canon of the. cathedral and the other was … Continue reading “Ricci, Lorenzo”

Ricci, Catherine de’, Saint (Alessandra Lucrezia Romola) (1522 -1590 ) Dominican nun of the Third Order, born Florence; died Prato, Italy . She entered the Dominican convent of San Vincenzio, Prato, 1535 , of which she was prioress or sub-prioress until her death. She is famous for the “Ecstasy of the Passion” into which she … Continue reading “Ricci, Catherine de’, Saint”

Ricci, Bartolomeo (1) an Italian scholar, was born at Lugo, in Romagna, in 1490. He studied at Bologna, Padua, and Venice, and in the last-named city had charge of the education of Luigi Cornaro, afterwards cardinal. He subsequently taught at Ravenna. His reputation as instructor gained for him in 1539 the position of tutor to … Continue reading “Ricci, Bartolomeo (2)”

Ricci, Antonio called Barbelunga, a painter of the Neapolitan school, was born at Messina in 1600. He went to Rome and studied under Domenichino; in that city he left several fine paintings. On his return to his native country he executed numerous works which now decorate its churches. Among them we mention, the Conversion of … Continue reading “Ricci, Antonio”

Ricci (Lat. Ricius), Paul was a convert from Judaism in the 16th century. For a time he was professor at Padua, in Italy, when the emperor Maximilian I appointed him as his physician. Ricci was especially famous as a Cabalist, and translated a large portion of Joseph Gikatilla’s cabalistic work entitled (The Gates of Light), … Continue reading “Ricci (Lat. Ricius), Paul”

Ricchini, Tommaso Agostino a learned Italian ecclesiastic, was born at Cremona in 1695. At the age of fifteen he entered the Dominican order, devoted himself to poetry, and published at Milan several religious pieces. He afterwards taught theology in the principal houses of his order in Lombardy, and filled the office of prior at Cremona. … Continue reading “Ricchini, Tommaso Agostino”

Riccardi, Nicholas A theologian, writer and preacher; born at Genoa, 1585; died at Rome, 30 May, 1639. Physically he was unprepossessing, even slightly deformed. His physical deficiencies, however, were abundantly compensated for by mentality of the highest order. His natural taste for study was encouraged by his parents who sent him to Spain to pursue … Continue reading “Riccardi, Nicholas”