Saint’s Corner

St. Catherine of Genoa

Caterinetta (Catherine) was born in 1447 in Genoa. Her father died at a young age and Catherine was married at the age of 16. Her husband was not at home much the first five years and was unfaithful to her. In 1473 she had a vision in church and renounced her sins, confessing them in public. She began to receive communion on a daily basis from that time onward (which was very rare back then). Her husband began to reform his life thanks in large part to his wife’s prayers. They moved from their large home into a small one and devoted themselves to the care of the sick in the local hospital. In 1479 they moved out of their home and into the hospital so that they could better care for the sick. She was appointed matron of the hospital in 1490 while her spiritual life continued to grow and grow. The last few years of her life were marked with declining health and on September 13^th, 1510 she died. She is the patron Saint of brides, difficult marriages, and widows.