Catherine, the daughter of a humble tradesman, was raised up to be the guide and guardian of the Church in one of the darkest periods of its history — the fourteenth century. As a child, prayer was her delight. She would say the “Hail Mary” on each step when she was on the stairs, and was granted in reward a vision of Christ in His glory. When she was only seven years old, she made a vow of virginity, and afterwards endured bitter persecution for refusing to marry. Our Lord gave her His Heart in exchange for her own, communicated with her with His own hands, and stamped on her body the print of His wounds — the stigmata.
At the age of fifteen she entered the Third order of St. Dominic. From her obscure home she was summoned to defend the Church’s cause.
Armed with Papal authority and accompanied by three clergy, she traveled through Italy, changing rebellious cities to be obedient to the Holy See and winning hardened souls to God. She found Gregory XI at Avignon and brought him back to Rome. She was the counselor of Urban VI and corrected the disloyal cardinals who took part in electing an antipope. Long had she foretold the terrible schism which began when she died.
Day and night she wept and prayed for unity and peace. But the devil turned the Roman people against the Pope so that some sought his life. St. Catherine begged Our Lord to prevent this evil crime.
The insurrection was subdued by Catherine’s powerful prayers but the devil and his minions showed their revenge by attacking the Saint herself, who gladly gave her life for God and His Church. She died in Rome at the holy age of thirty-three, A.D. 1380, and was canonized a Saint in 1461. St. Catherine of Siena was declared the Patron Saint of Rome in 1866, and then of Italy (together with St. Francis of Assisi) in 1939.
St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us!
Prayer to Saint Catherine of Siena