Osanna Andreasi was born on January 17, 1449 in Carbonarola, close to Mantua. Later the family moved to a smaller palace in Mantua. At age 5, while walking along the banks of the Po River, she heard a clear, firm voice that told her: “Life and death consist in loving God.” She entered into ecstasy and was raised to Heaven by a splendorous Angel. He showed her the celestial hierarchy and told her, “To enter Heaven it is necessary to love God very much: See how all created things sing His glory and proclaim it to men.”
She was taken by a great desire to study theology, but her father forbade it as unsuitable for a child. Then Osanna had recourse to prayer. In response, Our Lady herself taught her and gave her lessons. In this way, Ossana learned Latin and acquired a great mastery over Holy Scriptures. She was even able to quote the commentaries of the Church Fathers.
The paternal prohibition was eventually lifted. She died in 1505 and her body remains incorrupt after 400 years. It is presently in the Cathedral of Mantua.