Saint Catherine of Siena

"If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze."
- Saint Catherine of Siena (1347 - 1380)

Today is the feast day of Saint Catherine of Siena. Catherine was born in Siena, Italy, in 1347. She was the 25th child of humble wool dyers. Catherine was intensely religious, and even at the age of 6 she was having mystical experiences and could see guardian angels. She became a Dominican Tertiary when she was 16 years old, and continued to have visions of Christ, His Mother, and the saints. Inspired by her holiness, many gathered around Catherine and became better people. Although she never had any formal education, Catherine was one of the most brilliant theological minds of her time. In 1375, Catherine received the stigmata. However, it was only visible after her death. In 1377, she persuaded the pope to return to Rome from Avignon, France. At the time of her death, Catherine was also trying to heal the Great Western Schism, which had started to divide the Church in 1378. Catherine wrote many letters, which can still be read today, and a treatise called The Dialogue. Her confessor, Blessed Raymond of Capua, wrote a book about her called The Life of St. Catherine of Siena. Catherine died in 1380 at the age of 33, and her body was found incorrupt in 1430. She was canonized in 1461.  In 1970, Pope Paul VI named her and Saint Teresa of Avila doctors of the Church. She, along with Saint Francis of Assisi, is the co-patron of Italy. 

Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us!

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Picture Of And Information About Saint Catherine Taken From: 

http://www.olomc-ottawa.com/st%20catherine.html

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=9

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/saint.aspx?id=1368