The Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena

Today is the memorial of Saint Catheirne of Siena, who, many are surprised to learn, was not a nun. She was a Third Order Dominican (a laywoman) who had a huge impact on those around her because of her evident holiness and her complete surrender to Christ. She was born in 1347 in Italy and grew up an intelligent and deeply religious child. Like all young girls of the time, Catherine was encouraged from a very early age to make herself more "marriagable" by tending to her appearance. In response to such encouragements to attract a husband, Cathering angered her mother by cutting off her hair in protest. She announced that she wanted to devote herself to God and to prayer. She joined the Third Order Dominicans at the age of 18 and spent the next three years of her life in seclusion and prayer. She gradually attracted a group of followers, among then lay people, religious, and even priests, and an active and apostolic life grew out of this period of contemplative seclusion.

Cathering lived during a period of great strife in the world and in the Church. She was intrumental in convincing the Pope to return to Rome from Avignon, and her influence in the world was far-reaching. Catherine died in 1380 at the age of 33, leaving behind her an impressive body of writings and letters of spiritual advice. In 1970, Pope Paul VI named her, along with Saint Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church.

"There is no obedience without humility, nor humility without love."
- Saint Catherine of Siena