Saint Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena was born in Siena, Italy, on March 25, 1347. She was the 25th child born to her mother, although half of her brothers and sisters did not survive childhood. When still very young, she was favored with celestial visions and began to practice severe austerities. At 16, she became a Dominican tertiary and lived like an anchoress in her home for three years. She bravely took on the responsibility of caring for advanced cases of leprosy that no one else was willing to handle. Despite facing constant criticism and mistreatment, she managed to bring about a conversion in the lives of the afflicted individuals. 

Subsisting for long periods solely on the reception of the Eucharist, she prayed incessantly and suffered, especially for sinners who refused to pray for themselves. Multitudes came from far and near to obtain Catherine's advice on spiritual or temporal matters, drawn by the fame of her supernaturally clear insight and practical wisdom. Although almost constantly subject to the most painful suffering, she diffused radiant happiness and holy joy in a spirit of total self-surrender to Christ. At 28, she received the sacred stigmata, but in response to her pleadings to God, these remained outwardly invisible during her lifetime. She had a strong desire to promote peace during the political unrest of her time, which motivated her to engage in correspondence with influential figures such as Popes, Princes, and other prominent individuals, irrespective of their gender. 

The most famous of her writings is her Dialogue, in which God the Father converses with her on the spiritual life. At the request of Pope Urban VI, she spent her last six years in the Eternal City. She died at the young age of 33, on April 29, 1380, following a stroke just a week prior. Canonized by Pope Pius II in 1461, Catherine of Siena was proclaimed Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI in 1970. She is the Patron Saint of Italy and is invoked against fire, pestilence, and headaches. Perhaps her most famous quote is: ”Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” 

Prayer to the Holy Spirit by St. Catherine of Siena

Holy Spirit, come into my heart; draw it to Thee by Thy power, O my God, and grant me charity with filial fear. Preserve me, O beautiful love, from every evil thought; warm me, inflame me with Thy dear love, and every pain will seem light to me. My Father, my sweet Lord, help me in all my actions. Jesus, love, Jesus, love. Amen.

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Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.