St. Catherine of Bologna
On March 9th we celebrate the life of Saint Catherine of Bologna. Saint Catherine was
the daughter of a lawyer and diplomat in Ferrara, Italy. She was given a good
education including studying Latin at a young age. After the death of her
father, at the age of 14 she felt the call by God and entered religious life.
Shortly thereafter, she began to experience visions—some from God and others
from the devil. In time she came to tell the difference. Catherine was assigned
as the baker for her community and after many years, she became the novice mistress. One Christmas Eve, she went to the church to pray and
said 1000 “Hail Mary’s” in honor of Mary. Afterwards, at about midnight,
she received a vision of Mary holding Jesus and was filled with abundant joy.
Catherine worked to have the convent she
lived in fully enclosed and was eventually successful. Later, she was named the
superioress. During her life, Saint Catherine was well known for her sanctity
and healing powers. She died in 1463 after being bedridden on the first Sunday
of Lent. Her body was found to be incorrupt and can still be viewed in the
chapel of the convent of the church in Bologna.