Catherine was born in Siena, Italy, in 1347. She was the twenty-fifth and youngest child of Jacopo and Lapa Benincasa. At the age of seven, following a vision of Christ in glory, she is reported to have vowed her virginity to God. She joined the Dominican Third Order in 1365 and spent some years in seclusion from the world, fasting and praying. In 1368, after a vision where Christ accepted her as his "bride," she felt called to carry this love to others. She cared for the poor and tended the sick; she corresponded with people from all walks of life, even counselling princes and popes; she was renowned as a peacemaker. She is especially remembered for her spiritual reflections.

She died in Rome in 1380, at the age of 33, in agony over the schism in the Church at that time. This great Christian mystic was canonized in 1461, became patroness of Italy in 1939, and was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970. With St Bridget of Sweden and St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), she is co-patroness of Europe.

©2011 Living with Christ, Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/. Reprinted with permission.