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Friends of the Rosary:
Today is the Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), Virgin and a doctor of the Church, along with Teresa of Avila and a very influential saint. Pope John Paul II proclaimed her patron saint of Europe. She is also the patron saint of journalists, media, and nursing.
St. Catherine of Siena was an extraordinary laywoman in the Middle Ages. Her continual appeals for civil peace and reform of the Church make her one of the leading figures of the fourteenth century. She journeyed to Avignon and persuaded Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome. She made peace between worldly princes. The heads of Church and State bowed to her words.
St. Catherine of Siena acquired great influence through her life of prayer and extraordinary mortifications as well as by the spread of her spiritual writings.
A tertiary of the Dominican Order, she was favored with visions of Christ from the age of seven.
Unbelievable were her austerities, her miracles, her ecstasies. The reputation of her sanctity soon spread abroad; thousands came to see her, to be converted by her. The priests associated with her were unable to accommodate the crowds of penitents. She was a helper and a consoler in every need.
St. Catherine of Siena died at age 33 in Rome, and most of her body is buried there at Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Basilica.
Saint Catherine of Siena is remembered as a powerful example of faith, humility, and selflessness, and is revered by Catholics around the world as a model of holiness and devotion to God. Her feast day is celebrated with special Masses and other devotions in many Catholic churches.
Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!
St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for Us!
+ Mikel A. | RosaryNetwork.com, New York