St. Catherine of Bologna was born into a noble family in Bologna, Italy, on 8 September 1413. Since her youth, Catherine had a strong inclination towards the spiritual life and was known for her devotion to the Eucharist. Catherine was raised at the court of the Duke of Ferrara and received an excellent education in reading, writing, singing, and drawing. She exhibited exceptional skills in painting, Latin, and playing the viola. At the age of 13, she joined a group of religious women in Ferrara and became a Franciscan Tertiary. Eventually, the whole group established a convent for the Order of Poor Clares in 1432.
Catherine gladly took on various humble duties at the convent, such as doing laundry, baking, and caring for animals. Catherine continued to paint and write beautiful spiritual guides and poetry. She wrote the treatise on the 7 Spiritual Weapons Necessary for Spiritual Warfare. Catherine experienced visions of both Jesus Christ and Satan throughout her life, which she documented in her treatise. Her painting of St. Ursula remains on display in a Venice gallery. She was also known for her kindness and compassion towards the sick and the poor and was often called the "Angel of Bologna."
In 1456, Catherine returned to Bologna to establish a second convent of her congregation and was appointed the convent's Abbess. She remained Abbess there until her death on 9 March 1463. Her body was exhumed eighteen days later because of many cures attributed to her at her graveside and the sweet scent emanating from her grave. Her body was discovered incorrupt and remains so today. Catherine is dressed in her religious habit, seated upright on a golden throne behind glass in the chapel of the Poor Clares in Bologna. St. Catherine is recognized as the patron saint of Bologna, as well as artists and individuals seeking spiritual guidance.
St. Catherine, help us recognize the unique gifts we have been blessed with and guide us in developing them to their fullest potential.
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Prepared and updated by:
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.
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