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St Catherine of Siena St Catherine of Siena StSt CatherineCatherine ofof SienaSiena Feast day ~29th April ‘Growing in goodness’ St Catherine of Siena was born on the 25th of March, 1347 in Siena, Italy. She was the 23rd child of Jacopo and Lapa Benincasa. Catherine was so cheerful that her family gave her the nickname “Euphrosyne”, which means“joy” in Greek. As Catherine grew, she began to have mystical experiences, seeing guardian angels when she was only six. Later, Catherine had a vision of St Dominic and decided to join his religious order – the Dominicans. Her parents wanted her to get married, but Catherine cut off her hair as a protest and her father then said she should be left in peace. When Catherine was 16, she became a Dominican tertiary and she spent the next three years in prayer and meditation. Catherine grew in goodness, and other people gathered around her, inspired by Catherine’s contemplative life. Although Catherine never had any formal education, she became well respected as a mystic and a spiritual writer. She also began to become involved in public affairs and in 1374 she visited Florence. Following this visit, Catherine began travelling with her followers throughout northern and central Italy advocating reform of the clergy and advising people that repentance and renewal could be done through “total love for God.” Some people objected to Catherine’s involvement in public affairs, but she continued to write letters, asking the Pope to return to Rome from Avignon, and pleading for the unity of the Church. As she grew, Catherine surrendered her life completely to Jesus, seeing this as a goal to be reached through time. Catherine died in 1380, aged only 33, and was buried in Rome. She left us her writings: an important book: “The Dialogue of Divine Providence”; more than 300 letters; and 26 prayers. Catherine was canonized (declared a saint) by Pope Pius II, in 1461. Her feast day is on April 29th – the day of her death. In 1866, Pope Pius IX declared St Catherine to be a co-patroness of Rome. In 1939, she was made a joint Patron Saint of Italy (with St Francis of Assisi.) In 1970, Pope Paul VI gave St Catherine the title of ‘Doctor of the Church’ – together with St Teresa of Avila: they were the first women to receive this honour. In 1999, Pope John Paul II made St Catherine one of Europe’s patron saints, along with Edith Stein and Bridget of Sweden. St Catherine of Siena is highly regarded as a mystic and a spiritual writer of the Church. She grew in goodness throughout her life, building on her experience of visions and contemplation, to produce great spiritual writings, and to show political boldness – at a time when women rarely had such influence..
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