St. Catherine of Siena SAINT of the MONTH
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APRIL St. Catherine of Siena SAINT OF THE MONTH Age Level: All ages Recommended time: 10-15 minutes What you need: St. Catherine of Siena (page 154 in the students' activity book), markers and/or crayons Activity A. Tell your students that this month, we will learn about St. Catherine of Siena, who is known for her ability to teach and preach as well as her love for and devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist. B. Have your students turn to Saint of the Month: St. Catherine of Siena (page 154) in their activity books. Read aloud the biography of this month’s saint and have your students complete the coloring page while they listen. C. When you are finished, discuss as a class how the life of St. Catherine can inspire us to love God more deeply. What are some things that we can do to follow her saintly example? Biography of St. Catherine of Siena CATHERINE was born in Siena, Italy, the After three years in seclusion, second youngest of 25 children. From her Catherine and her followers began to youth, she joyfully dedicated herself to minister to the poor, especially those prayer and devotion. suffering from the bubonic plague, which At the age of 18, Catherine began took millions of lives in Europe at that living in constant prayer as a hermit. time. The disease was so terrible that During this time, she attracted many healthy people would not care for or followers who wanted to imitate her way even touch the victims, leaving the dead of life. She was granted a vision in which unburied in homes and in the streets out she was spiritually married to Jesus. of fear that they, too, would become sick He placed a ring on her finger that was if they buried them. visible only to her and told her that her Catherine wanted to be Christ in the faith could overcome all temptations. world. She knew that Jesus had healed 234 © SOPHIA INSTITUTE PRESS APRIL the sick, and shown sick people tender gained a reputation for wisdom, holiness, love and mercy. And she knew that our and the ability to settle disputes. bodies are gifts from God, to be treated Catherine played an important role as temples of the Holy Spirit. So Catherine during a turbulent time in Church history would tend to the needs of the plague with multiple men claiming to be pope. victims. She would prepare them for Her devotion to the pope of Rome never death and see that they were buried, often wavered. She received many visions and burying them herself. She knew that on was even given the stigmata, the wounds the Last Day Christ will raise the bodies of of Christ. all people from the dead and reunite them In 1380, Catherine died of a stroke at with their souls, and so the bodies even of the age of 33. She was canonized in 1461 the dead should be treated with respect by Pope Pius II and given the title Doctor and dignity. of the Church in 1970 by Pope Paul VI. This Catherine also wrote many letters to is a special title that means her writings royalty, nobles, religious, and even the are especially useful to Christians. pope. Through her letters, Catherine EXPLORING THE PROFESSION OF FAITH, APRIL 235 April 29 ~ Saint Catherine of Siena St. Catherine of siena 155.