It is March the 25th, 1347 in Siena, Italy and little baby Catherine Benincasa is born alongside her twin sister Giovanna Benincasa, to proud parents Giacomo di Benincasa, a wool dyer and his wife Lapa Benincasa.

Lapa was about

forty years old

when she

prematurely gave

birth to her twin

daughters.

Giovanna was handed over to a wet-nurse, and unfortunately died, whereas Catherine was nursed by her mother, and developed into a healthy child.

Catherine was the youngest of 25 children.

Siena, Italy, today.

Catherine had a vision of Jesus above her local church. Catherine continued to have these visions throughout her life.

She resisted her parents attempts at convincing her to marry and at just 12 years of age she cut off her hair and swore her virginity. Catherine often fasted throughout her childhood and would spend long periods of time in her locked room praying.

The long fasts and hours of praying that Catherine devoted to God worried her parents greatly. They eventually came around to the idea though, and supported Catherine as best they could.

Even giving her a room of her own for prayer.

At age 16, Catherine joined the Third Order of St Dominic.

The Third Order’s members were all women who wore the Dominican habit. They lived in their own homes, leading a life of prayer and public services.

Catherine took her vocation very seriously, only leaving her room for Mass. She slept few hours, ate next to nothing and was for the remainder of that time, silent. This intense period of prayer lasted for about three years until Catherine had a vision of Jesus, he said…….

When a plague came, Catherine selflessly cared for the sick, bringing food and clothing all around Siena and burying the dead.

Catherine became a familiar sight in Siena. She visited prisoners, asking them to reconcile their wrong doing, in fact three friars had to be assigned to listen to the confessions of those who had spoken to Catherine.

Catherine left such

an effect on people,

that by the time she

was 23, she had a

group of spiritual

followers including

priests and nuns,

whom she referred

to as family.

In 1368 her father died, and she assumed the care of her mother Lapa.

The church during Catherine’s time was pretty unstable. The current Pope, Pope Gregory XI was a Frenchman who lived in France and took orders from the French government.

Catherine quite famously travelled

to Avignon, France to try to convince

the Pope to move back to Rome.

After four months of persuasion he

finally agreed but this wasn’t the end

of the church’s problems……….

Vatican city, Rome.

The next Pope was strict and not many people liked him. The heads of the church didn’t respect him so they returned to Avignon, France and elected their own Pope. Catherine was blamed by many for this chaos because she was the one that had convinced the Pope to go back to Rome.

Catherine continued her holy work, despite criticism and did so until

the day she died.

Though Catherine could

barely read or write she

dictated hundreds of letters and two

books of her mystical experiences

and spirituality in her lifetime. Her

mystical experiences and visions

inspired the Book of Divine Doctrine,

widely considered the greatest book

on Christian mysticism written in the

14th century.

CERTIFICATE OF DEATH

DESCEASED NAME : Catherine Benincasa.

OCCUPATION: Religion.

PLACE OF DEATH: Italy.

CAUSE OF DEATH: Unidentified pains.

DATE OF DEATH: The 29th of April, 1380.

SIGNED:

Was canonized in

the year 1461. Is the Patron Saint of Italy and fire prevention.

Her feast day is April the 29th, the day of her death.

In 1970 the Church gave her the

title of Doctor of the Church.

It is said that after her death, people noticed the stigmata (wounds of Christ) on

Catherine’s body.

Originally, I’ll admit that I chose St Catherine purely because

of her name. I’d heard of her before and knew that she was the Patron Saint for Siena College, but I didn’t know much more then that. Now that I have researched her though, I’m so glad I chose her. I believe that St Catherine of Siena was a very special, strong-willed person. I was shocked to find out that at just 12 years of age she cut off her hair and swore her virginity. 12 years of age! I don’t think that I’m quite ready to do something that drastic, but I hope that one day I could do something like that to stand up for what I believe in, religious or not. Catherine had an effect on people all throughout her life. Though she had her limitations, like not being able to read or write, she found her way around these obstacles. St Catherine of Siena is a massive inspiration to me, and even just sitting here writing this really re-affirms for me how proud I am to be taking her name.

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