Saint Catherine of Siena/TODAY'S SAINT

SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA




Catherine lived
From 1337 to 1380


She was
The youngest of 20 children
And from an early age
Was devoted to a life
Of penance and prayer-despite parental opposition


She refused
To consider marriage
And became a Dominican tertiary


She began to mix with other people
And began to nurse the sick-in hospitals
Along with her disciples
Which included both men and women


She taught many to reform
Through a TOTAL love of God


She never learned to write
But wrote 383 letters
Expressing her philosophy
Through dictation


Her holiness
Was centered on Christ’s crucifixion
And she saw this
As the SUPREME love of God-for man


She received much criticism
Especially during the last 5 years
Of her life
When she became involved
In the politics
Of both state and church


She suffered a stroke
On April 21^st 1380
And died 8 days later


Her life story
Was written by Raymond Caputa
Her friend-and later
Master General of the Dominican order


This led
To her canonization in 1461
With the quality of her writings
And her membership
In the Dominican order
Bringing her much support


She became a figure
Of international importance and influence
Became Siena ‘s principal Saint ( along with Bernard of Siena )
And was believed to be responsible
For bringing the papacy
Back to Rome


Her common emblem
Is the lily
And she was declared
A Doctor of the church-in 1970


Her feast day is April the 29^th


Robert P. Wallman

5-3-12