Let us pray for the intercession of St. Catherine of Siena on her feast day.
Who was St. Catherine of Siena?
St. Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) was a Dominican tertiary, mystic, and one of the most influential spiritual figures of the 14th century. Born in Siena, Italy, she was the 23rd child in her family and showed deep religious devotion from a young age. She resisted marriage and dedicated herself to a life of prayer, eventually joining the Dominican Third Order.
Catherine combined a contemplative life with active service, caring for the sick and poor, and guiding others spiritually. Her letters addressed both personal and political matters, and she played a key role in urging Pope Gregory XI to return the papacy from Avignon to Rome. During the Great Schism, she worked for unity in the Church and supported Pope Urban VI.
She died at the age of 33 in Rome and was canonized in 1461. In 1970, she was named a Doctor of the Church, one of the first women to receive the title. Her major work, The Dialogue, remains a classic of Christian mysticism.
