St. Catherine of Siena: Pray for Us!

St. Catherine of Siena: Pray for Us!

Though she lived her life in a faith experience and spirituality far different from that of our own time, Catherine of Siena stands as a companion with us on the Christian journey in her undivided effort to invite the Lord to take flesh in her own life. Events which might make us wince or chuckle or even yawn fill her biographies: a mystical experience at six, childhood betrothal to Christ, stories of harsh asceticism, her frequent ecstatic visi…

Pope Francis’ praise for St. Catherine of Siena

Detail from St. Catherine of Siena from the circle of Baldassare Francheschini (17th century). / Credit: Baldassare Franceschini, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Vatican City, Apr 29, 2025 / 04:00 am (CNA). On the feast of St. Catherine of... [...]

Here’s what Pope Francis said about St. Catherine of Siena

Detail from St. Catherine of Siena from the circle of Baldassare Francheschini (17th century). / Credit: Baldassare Franceschini, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Vatican City, Apr 29, 2025 / 04:00 am (CNA). On the feast of St. Catherine of Siena in 2021, Pope Francis expressed his hope that the “great female figure of faith” would continue to inspire a more joyful and fervent witness.“The Holy Father hopes that, especially in the context of…

'Assaults of Demons': The Supernatural Death of Saint Catherine of Siena

The feast day of the great Saint Catherine of Siena is on April 29.Known for her holiness, Saint Catherine was a mystic, theologian, philosopher, and spiritual advisor. Famously, she helped convince Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome (the papacy had resided in Avignon, France, for decades). Today, she is honored as a Doctor of the Church and is the patron saint of Europe, Rome, and Italy. She is generally revered as one of the greatest saints in …

Crossing the bridge of mercy

Today is April 29, the Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church. Continuing with the story of Nicodemus in John, we read at today’s Mass, “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.” (Jn 3:13). Today, we celebrate the radiant witness of one of the Church’s great mystics, teachers and saints: St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church, Dominican Tertiary and fearless ser…

Saint Catherine of Siena

The value Saint Catherine of Siena makes central in her short life and which sounds clearly and consistently through her experience is complete surrender to Christ. What is most impressive about her is that she learns to view her surrender to her Lord as a goal to be reached through time. She was the 23rd child of Jacopo and Lapa Benincasa and grew up as an intelligent, cheerful and intensely religious person. Catherine disappointed her mother b…