Friday, April 29, 2022

St. Catherine of Siena, O.P., Doctor and Virgin


St. Catherine of Siena, by Giovanni di Paolo, c. 1475AD.

St. Catherine of Siena (+1380), a Dominican Tertiary and Doctor of the Church, is certainly one of the greatest lady saints of the history of the Church.  She, who led a tremendous life of penance, was the individual that prevailed upon the Pope of her day, Gregory XI, to return the papacy to Rome from Avignon.  She actually received the stigmata, but, at her own urgent pleading, it was not outwardly visible.  On this day in 1380AD, St. Catherine of Siena passed away.  She is a co-patroness of both Italy and of Europe.  Her feast traditionally falls on 30 April, but was moved to this day, 29 April, in the revised calendar.

For more on St. Catherine, you should note:
Old Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Catherine of Siena

Catholic Saints Info: St. Catherine of Siena

Here is a video on her life: Word on Fire: St. Catherine of Siena


A 19th century image of St. Catherine of Siena.

Today, the relics of St. Catherine are housed in the Roman Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, while her head is in the Church of San Dominico in her home city of Siena in Tuscany.


Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome, Italy.  St. Catherine of Siena is buried in the high altar.

Here is the website of the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome: Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva


Basilica of San Domenico in Siena.  St. Catherine's head is housed here.

This is the site of the Basilica of San Domenico in Siena: Official Site of the Basilica of San Domenico

As a side note, this blogger was received into the Roman Catholic Church at a parish with the title of St. Catherine of Siena.

Live well!

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