Today is the memorial of St. Catherine of Siena!
St. Catherine was in 1347. She gave her life to God at a young age and resisted her parents’ attempts to marry her off as she got older. When she expressed a desire to become a Dominican nun, her mother would not let her, so she instead began to live a life of silence and penance within her family home while following the spirituality of St. Dominic as a member of a local association of devout women. After experiencing a mystical vision in which she became a spouse of Christ, she left her life of seclusion and began to engage in works of mercy toward the poor and sick. Word of her holiness quickly spread, resulting in her involvement with local politics and reform of the clergy. She is well-known for her role in bringing the papacy back to Rome after it had been based in Avignon, France for almost 70 years. She died in 1380 at just 33 years old, and she is a co-patroness of Europe and a patron of nurses, the sick, and those suffering from miscarriage.
We seek her intercession in a special way for the coming conclave; may her wisdom, example, and prayers guide the Church as the Cardinals select the next pope. St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us!
