Công Giáo posted an update in the group
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Dio CheyenneAt age 18, Catherine of Siena entered the Dominican Third Order, where she spent the next three years in seclusion, prayer, and asceticism. An active public apostolate grew out of Catherine’s contemplative life, and her letters, mostly for spiritual instruction and encouragement of her followers, began to take more and more note of public affairs. She worked for the crusade against the Turks and for peace between Florence and the pope.
The Great Schism began in 1378, splitting the allegiance of Christendom between two, then three, popes, which placed even saints on opposing sides. Catherine spent the last two years of her life in Rome, praying and pleading on behalf of the cause of Pope Urban VI and the unity of the Church.
Catherine was canonized in 1461, and, in 1939, she and Francis of Assisi were declared co-patrons of Italy. Pope Paul VI named both Saint Catherine and Saint Teresa of Avila doctors of the Church in 1970. Saint Catherine of Siena is a patron saint of Europe, Italy, and fire prevention. Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us!
