St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)

“My Lord, what do you want me to do? I will do it.”

Catherine Benicasa was born on March 25, 1347 in Siena Italy. She was the 24th child and was a twin. Catherine had her first vision of Christ at the age of 6; at the age of 7 she vowed her virginity to Christ. She suffered great ridicule from her family for her religious devotion and her decision never to marry. Catherine’s father caught her praying instead of working, but before he could scold her, he saw a white dove hovering above her head. From this moment on things changed at the Benicasa home and Catherine was no longer badgered about marriage.

Catherine was accepted as a lay order Dominican at 18. The Dominicans guided her in her spiritual life. Catherine was convinced that Christ had accepted her as His “bride” and she received His command that she should bring her love for Him to the world. Catherine worked as a nurse caring for the ill and the poor and burying the dead. She ministered to prisoners who were about to be executed. In 1375 in a visit to Pisa, Catherine had an ecstasy at the Church of St. Cristina and received the stigmata, but she begged the Lord that they remain hidden from view. These wounds would remain a part of her sacrificial suffering for poor sinners, and were visible at the end of her life.

Catherine was very respectful of Church authorities, but she also fearlessly and lovingly admonished Priests, Bishops, Cardinals and even two Popes, whenever she learned something contrary to God's Will had influenced them. Catherine is given credit for encouraging Pope Gregory XI to return from Avignon, France, to the rightful See of Peter in Rome. Pope Urban later summoned her to Rome and she spent two years there pleading and praying for the unity of the Church. Catherine had a great impact and influence on public affairs. She offered herself as a victim of the Church and its agony. Catherine is credited with restoring unity in the Church after the Great Schism of 1378, when the pope resided in Avignon, France not Rome.

Catherine died in Rome in 1380 at the age of 33, the age our Lord was crucified. She left a legacy of outstanding spiritual treatises. The stigmata she received at Pisa became visible to all after her death. St. Catherine was canonized in 1461. In 1970 Pope Paul VI declared Catherine a Doctor of the Church, only the second woman to bear such an illustrious title. She ranks among the greatest mystics and spiritual writers the Church has produced over 400 letters, two dozen prayers and a book, The Dialogue, her account of her intimate conversations with God. Her feast occurs on April 29. She is the patron saint of fire prevention, pestilence and headaches.

For more on St Catherine visit www.st-catherine-medal.com

Prayer to St. Catherine of Siena

"Everlasting Father, who so kindled the flame of holy love in the heart of blessed Catherine of Siena, as she meditated on the passion of your Son our Savior, that she devoted her life to the poor and the sick, and to the peace and unity of the Church: Grant that we also may share in the mystery of Christ’s death, and rejoice in the revelation of His Glory, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, forever and ever. Amen."