Saint of the Day for 29 April: St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena: Mystical Visionary and Powerful Mediatrix of the Medieval Church
Name
St. Catherine of Siena
Title
Virgin and Doctor of the Church, patroness of Italy
Baptismal name
Catherine of Jacopo of Benincasa
Birth
March 24, 1347, Siena
Death
29 April 1380, Rome
Recurrence
29 April
Martyrology
2004 edition
Canonization
1461, Rome, Pope Pius II
Prayer
O Catherine of Siena, chosen Virgin of the Lord, we invoke Thee as our special protector and earnestly desire that Thou impart to us grace to know Thee well and to imitate Thee. Thou prudent, Thou strong. Thou angelically chaste, Thou art great chiefly because much and very holily Thou lovedst. Thy love was Jesus Christ, and in Him Thou loved with colorful or very special love the Church, The Pope, whom Thou used to call <sweet father of mine> and Thy Italy. From these three loves was born in Thee an admirable womanly apostolate; and in Thy apostolate Thou didst sweetly cry throughout Italy: Peace, peace, peace. Now we humbly and confidently beseech Thee to impart to us from Jesus Christ the peace, which He came to give to the world. Deh, grant us that even amid the sorrows and storms of life each of us may first be at peace with himself, and then may our word and our life succeed in bringing peace to all others.
Patron of
Varazze, Cengio, Poggio San Vicino
Relics place
Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva
Roman Martyrology
In Rome the natal day of St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin, of the Third Order of St. Dominic, illustrious for her life and miracles, who was ascribed by Pope Pius the Second to the number of holy Virgins. Her feast, however, is celebrated on the following day.
The Saint and Mission
St. Catherine of Siena dedicated her life to a mission that transcended the conventional boundaries of her time, guided by a mystical vision deeply rooted in her faith. As a Dominican laywoman, Catherine immersed herself in the political and spiritual issues of her era, using her voice and pen to influence popes and princes. Her ability to dialogue with power figures, while maintaining a deep humility and dedication to prayer, showed that her mission was not only internal and ecclesiastical in nature, but also extremely practical and worldwide. Catherine’s passion for reforming the Church and supporting the poor and marginalized shows how her mission was complex and integrated, aiming for a spiritual renewal that would have tangible effects in society. Her unwavering commitment, despite numerous personal and political challenges, reflects a model of service that continues to be a beacon of inspiration.
The Saint and Mercy
St. Catherine of Siena was an emblematic figure of mercy in the context of the medieval Church, dedicating her life to the service of others with an unconditional love that defied the norms of her time. Her deep empathy for the humble and suffering often led her to the homes of the sick and dying, where she provided care and comfort with a gentle hand and words of hope. Her ability to see the face of Christ in the most marginalized and in her unwavering commitment to fight for justice and peace in the most turbulent contexts demonstrates a deep understanding of mercy as a transformative force. Through her example, Catherine showed that mercy is not just an act of kindness, but a powerful statement of faith, a way to respond to injustice with a commitment that has the power to change the world.
Hagiography
The Lord is wont to make use of humble and weak creatures to work great things: he made use of Esther to deliver his people from death, of Judith to strike down the unconquered Holofernes, he made use of Mary Most Holy to accomplish the Redemption, he made use of St. Catherine of Siena to give peace to the Church and the peoples of his time…