April 29: Saint Catherine of Siena, Patron Saint of Italy and Co-Patron Saint of Europe
Ambassador of Peace
A woman consumed with love and fidelity for the Church, dedicating her life and energy to the Pope, bishops, priests, the consecrated and laity, Saint Catherine of Siena was proclaimed Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI in 1970, the second woman ever to receive the title after Saint Teresa of Avila.
Caterina Benincasa was born in Siena on March 25, 1347, on the solemnity of the Annunciation, the penultimate in a family of 25 children. Her father, Jacopo, was a dyer and her mother, Lapa, took care of the house. From an early age, Catherine had mystical experiences. She was only seven when she had the vision of Christ enthroned, wearing pontifical robes, together with the Apostles Peter, John and Paul. Following this vision, which was imprinted on her soul, she took a vow of virginity and devoted herself to prayer and penance. Her parents, however, were of a different opinion and tried everything to distract her from her mortifications and get her married.
In 1363 she decided to enter the Third Dominican Order, who among the consecrated were known as Mantellate after the characteristic long black mantle they wore over their white habit. She remained with her family as a lay person, but living in accordance to the Order, giving first priority in her life prayer, penance and charity towards the sick and plague-stricken. She had the peculiar gift of pacifying disturbed souls and conflicting factions. In fact, she was called upon to calm quarrels and discord between cities and even entire states. Accompanied by her disciples, she crossed Italy and the south of France, as an ambassador and promoter of peace.
A group of disciples began to gather around her to follow her charism. They considered her “Mother and Teacher” of the spiritual life. Among them were nobles, politicians, artists, priests, and consecrated people. Very important was her diplomatic intervention for Pope Gregory XI - who at the time resided in Avignon - to return to Rome. Throughout her life, she always held great respect and consideration for priests who, through the Sacraments and the Word of God, bring the saving grace of the Blood of Christ to the faithful. In 1368, the Virgin Mary presented Catherine to Jesus who gave her a ring, saying: “I, your Creator and Savior, espouse you in the faith, that you will keep ever pure until you celebrate your eternal nuptials with me in Heaven” (Raimondo da Capua, Legenda maior, n. 115).
Many distrusted this singular woman to the point that in 1374, six years before her death, she was summoned to Florence by the general chapter of the Dominicans, was cleared of any charges and returned to continue her itinerant apostolate. She was supported by Fra Raimondo da Capua, the future Master General of the Order who became her confessor, her spiritual son, and wrote the Legenda maior, the first complete biography of Saint Catherine.
In 1375, while she was going to Pisa, praying to the Lord for peace and the salvation of souls, she received the Stigmata on her hands, which remained invisible to others. She was surrounded by such fervor that, when she went on a journey, three priests had to accompany her to hear the Confessions of the many people who converted to the faith after contact with her.
Her Dialogue of Divine Providence, or Book of Divine Doctrine, is admirable. It is a true masterpiece of spiritual literature, dictated between 1377 and 1378. It narrates the conversations between God and Catherine, constituting a synthesis of her spirituality and doctrine.
Catherine had no formal education, no private teachers, however, she taught herself to read and write as an adult. At least 378 of her letters have been preserved, addressed to various personalities: Popes, Cardinals, Bishops, sovereigns, consecrated people, common people. She began all her letters with the formula: “In the name of Jesus crucified and of sweet Mary. I, Catherine, servant…”. The mission she was invested in is clear to understand, and in every letter Catherine asked - for the common good - that the divine will be done. There have also been 26 of Catherine’s prayers handed down to us, collected by her disciples while she prayed, some recited during ecstasies. She died in Rome on April 29, 1380. Shortly before dying she said: ““…in leaving my body, truly I have consumed and given my life in the Church and for the Holy Church, which is for me a most unique grace.” (Raimondo da Capua, Legenda maior, n. 363)
Her body is preserved in the Roman Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, while her head is in the Basilica of San Domenico in Siena.
She was canonized by Pope Pius II in 1461. In 1866, Pope Pius IX proclaimed her Secondary Patron of Rome; in 1939, Pope Pius XII declared her Patron of Italy together with Saint Francis of Assisi, while in 1999, Saint John Paul II chose her as Co-Patron of Europe, together with Saint Bridget of Sweden and Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein).