Diana degli Andalò

In 1218, the Dominicans established themselves in Bologna. In 1219, with the help of Cardinal Ugolino they obtained the church of San Nicolò delle Vigne despite the opposition of the wealthy Loderingo degli Andlò, who owned the land on which the church was built. Diana was Loderingo's sister and persuaded her father and grandfather to give the friars not only the church, but a small house near it for their convent. Reportedly Diana lived a worldly life until, inspired by Reginald of Bologna, she became convinced that there should be a monastery of Dominican nuns in Bologna.[1]

When Saint Domenic visited Bologna in 1221, D'Andalo made a vow to become a nun and asked him to help her found a house for nuns on the model of Notre-Dame de Prouille. Dominic agreed and left behind four Dominican priests to oversee the foundation: Paul of Hungary, Guala of Brescia, Ventura of Verona, and Rudolph of Faenza. Not long after, she fled by night to the Augustinian nuns at Roxana, but was abducted and taken home by her family;, but her brothers brought her back home with such a struggle that some of her ribs were broken. In 1222, Diana began a correspondence with Dominic's deputy, Jordan of Saxony, and they became close friends. Despite the continued violent opposition of her family, Jordan convinced them to donate land for the foundation of the convent of Saint Agnes.[1]

In 1223, she again fled to the Augustinians.[1] This time, she remained peacefully with the Augustinians until the new convent was built in Bologna. On 13 May 1223, the convent was completed. Diana was its first superior until her death three years later. The date of her beatification by Pope Leo XIII is given as either 8 August 1888 or 24 December 1891, the same day as that of her fellow Dominicans Cecilia Cesarini and Amata. Her feast day is June 9.

• Western Dominican Province: The Dominican Year, gives 1891 as date of beatification and 8 June as feast day
• Beata Diana degli Andalò, Vergine at Santi Beati

• Georges, Norbert. Blessed Diana and Blessed Jordan of the Order of Preachers. Somerset, Ohio: Rosary Press, 1933.