Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena (25 March 1347 to 29 April 1380). Caterina Benincasa was born during the outbreak of the plague in Siena, Italy. She was the 25th child born to her mother, although half of her siblings did not survive childhood. Caterina herself was a twin, but her sister did not survive infancy. Her mother was 40 years old when Caterina was born.
Catherine was 16 years old when her sister Bonaventura died, leaving her husband a widower. Catherine's parents proposed that he marry Catherine, but she opposed the choice and began fasting; she also cut her hair short in order to mar her appearance. Her parents tried repeatedly to convince her but they were ultimately unsuccessful. Her fasting and her devotion to her family ultimately convinced them to allow her to live as she pleased.
Catherine was a religious woman but she chose not to enter a convent. Instead, she joined the Third Order of Saint Dominic, which allowed her to be associated with a religious society while remaining at home. Some of the Dominicans taught her how to read while she continued to live quietly, isolated within her family home. Meanwhile, she developed a habit of giving things away: she continually gave away her family's food and clothing to people in need, never asking permission to do so. When she was criticized for doing such things, she remained quiet.
At the age of 21, she described an experience she encountered which she referred to as a mystical marriage to Christ. Such mystical experiences change people. In Catherine's case, she was told to re-enter public life and to help the poor and the sick. She responded immediately. She often visited hospitals and homes where the poor and sick were found. Her activities quickly attracted followers who helped her in her mission to serve others.
Saint Catherine was drawn further into the world as she worked, and eventually she began to travel, calling for reform of the Church and for people to confess and to love God totally. She became involved in politics, and was key in working to keep city states (independent regions of current day Italy) loyal to the Pope.
By 1380, the 33-year-old Catherine had become ill, possibly because of her habit of extreme fasting. Her confessor, Raymond, ordered her to eat, but she replied that she found it difficult to do so, and that possibly she was ill. She died on 29 April of that year, following a stroke that she had suffered just a week before.
May Saint Catherine, who was born during a plague and is patroness against illness, intercede for us and for all those who are suffering and ill at this time.
Have a great day.
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