Saint Catherine of Siena
Doctor of the Church
Pray for Us!
Saint Catherine was born at Siena in 1347. While still a young girl, she sought the way of perfection and entered the Third Order of Saint Dominic [the branch open to women, known as the Mantellate]. On fire with love of God and neighbor, she established peace and concord between cities, vigorously fought for the rights and freedom of the Roman Pontiff, and promoted the renewal of religious life. She also composed works of doctrine and spiritual inspiration. She died in 1380 (From the précis of introductory comments for the Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena for the Liturgy of the Hours of April 29). She was a mystic and spiritual writer. Her works include “Dialogue with God the Father”. And, her letters as well as some 26 prayers she wrote have also been published. She established a religious order for women and was famous for exhorting Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome from Avignon, France.
Saint Catherine of Siena was canonized in 1461. Saint Catherine was named a Doctor of the Church by Venerable Pope Paul VI in 1970 and she was named co-patroness of the City of Rome by Blessed Pius IX, Patroness of Italy by Venerable Pope Pius XII, and one of six co-patrons of Europe by Saint John Paul II in 1999. Her feast day is April 29th.
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Art for this post on Saint Catherine of Siena: The Ecstasy of St. Catherine of Siena, Pompeo Batoni, 1743, PD-US published in the U.S. before January 1, 1923, Wikimedia Commons.
