Feast today: St. Catherine of Siena

40 years ago, while we were traveling Europe between leaving the Cayman Islands and moving to NY, we were in Siena and saw the relic of St. Catherine - her head. No need to supply a picture...

St. Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) was born in Siena, Italy, the 24th of 25 children born to a wealthy wool dyer and his wife. Catherine began having profound mystical experiences at the age of six which encouraged her in a life of virtue, extreme penance, and total consecration to God through a private vow of virginity.

She became a Dominican Tertiary at the age of 16 while continuing to live in the home of her parents. She had regular mystical visits from, and conversations with, Jesus, Mary, and many of the saints. Catherine had no formal education and was illiterate, yet her theological knowledge acquired through prayer astounded learned theologians. She was especially devoted to working for the unity and spiritual health of the Church. Among her most famous accomplishments was that she persuaded the Pope to return to Rome from Avignon in 1377. She was an important political figure in her day, often entering into negotiations between warring rulers through personal visits and dictated letters.

Her practical wisdom and profound spiritual insight was widely sought both inside and outside the Church. St. Catherine was a great mystic and was granted the stigmata which was made visible only after her death. She died in Rome at the age of 33, offering her life to God for the sanctification of the Church, and was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1970. St. Catherine of Siena is the patron saint of Italy and Europe. Her feast day is April 29th.

From wikipedia - "Catherine ranks high among the mystics and spiritual writers of the Church.^[13] She remains a greatly respected figure for her spiritual writings, and political boldness to "speak truth to power"—it being exceptional for a woman, in her time period, to have had such influence in politics and on world history."

Comments

[Regina Montana]

Thanks for this great reminder. How incredible for someone so young and without a formal education. Staggering the impact she had on history and the church. I'll remember her today.

[A Facebook User]

As the father of Catherine the great, I endorse this