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St. Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena. Mystic, diplomat doctor of the church April 29. St. Catherine at Prayer. The Story.

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St. Catherine of Siena

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  1. St. Catherine of Siena Mystic, diplomat doctor of the church April 29

  2. St. Catherine at Prayer

  3. The Story Catherine di Benincasa was born March 25, 1347, in Siena, Italy, the 25th child of Giacomo di Benincasa, a wool dyer by trade, and Lupa (Piagenti), probably the daughter of a local poet.

  4. The Story Catherine had a nickname as a child, Euphrosyne, a Greek word for joy, because she was such a happy child. One day, when she was about six or seven years old, she was returning with her brother from a visit to an older, married sister. Her brother, leading the way, became aware that Catherine wasn’t behind him. Turning around, he saw her some distance back, looking up to the sky. Not responding to his calls, he went back and took her by her hand, which woke her and produced profuse tears! She had a vision of Jesus in his glory along with Peter, Paul and John. Her brother had taken her away from this beautiful vision!

  5. The Story When Catherine was 12, her mother wanted her to pay more attention to her clothing and appearance since she was now of marriageableage. Even though she tried, she soon made it clear she would never marry. In retribution, her family forced her to do menial house work and prevented her the solitude of her room where she liked to pray. Years later would write about this time and her discovery of a private solitude in her soul. Her family finally relented and gave her a small bedroom, nine feet by three. There she devoted herself to fasting and prayer. When she was 16 she took on the habit of a DominicanTertiary over the objections of the Tertiaries, who were all widows.

  6. The Story Two years later Catherine had a vision where the Virgin Mary took Catherine’s hand and held it up to Jesus who put a ring on her finger. She knew she was espoused to her Lord.

  7. The Story After one more year of prayer and fasting, Catherine went out into the community, joining the other tertiaries in caring for the sick. As she went about her work, she attracted the attention of a wide variety of friends and followers, both clergy and lay, from around the world. Not yet thirty, Catherine was embroiled in the politics of Italy. Chafing under the control of the Vatican, several small city states, like Florence decided to raise an army and defeat the Vatican. The city of Florence asked Catherine to intercede with the pope. This was during the time of the Avignonpopes.

  8. The Story When Siena was gripped with the terrible and deadly plague. Catherine threw herself into caring for the victims, which included many of those who followed her. Through her tireless efforts, many were healed, many were converted, many were prepared to meet their Lord. Increasingly, Catherine was being asked to help mediate between individuals, families, cities and nations. We have 400 of her letters which give a rich insight into the life of ordinary people as well and leaders of state.

  9. The Story Throughout her life, Catherine ate very little, spent countless hours caring for others and prayed at every opportunity. This regime was hard on her body. In the end, at the tender age of 33, she suffered a paralyzing stroke which deprived her of the use of her legs. A week later, Catherine passed away. Her body is buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, very near the Pantheon in Rome. But her head was removed from her body and taken home to the Dominican church in Siena, where it is today.

  10. Remember Catherine is remembered for her single minded devotion to Christ and His people. She is remembered as a tireless peacemaker. She is remembered for her books and letters, some of the finest examples of early Tuscan writing. Catherine is remembered for thinking of people who troubled her as if they were Jesus or Mary and then loving them accordingly.

  11. Prayer O heavenly Father, in your goodness you gave to your Holy Church and to us, the life, ministry and death of this champion of our faith, Catherine of Siena, who worked hard to heal the body, the soul and relationships between people and states. Help us, in our time, to love Jesus so completely that we don’t count the cost; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

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