St. Catherine of Siena

      On April 29th, we celebrate the life of Saint Catherine of Siena who was born in 1347. At the age of eighteen she received the habit of the Third Order of St. Dominic. Nine years later, she devoted herself to the care of the sick during a great epidemic.

      Saint Catherine went to Avignon and was instrumental in convincing Pope Gregory XI to return to his rightful place in Rome instead of living in France. During her life St. Catherine is famous for writing Dialogue, as well as over 400 letters. She was recognized as one of the greatest theological minds of the Church by being declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970 by Pope Paul VI. She died on April 29, 1380 at the age of 33 and was canonized  in 1461.