The Congregation of Dominican Sisters and other religious and educational institutions under the patronage of St. Catherine of Siena (Santa Catalina), will lead the observance of her feast day on Friday, April 29.
St. Catherine is the well-loved patron saint of Italy along with Saint Francis of Assisi. She remains as one of Europe’s well-venerated patron saints.
Born in Siena, Italy on March 25,1347 during the outbreak of a plague, St. Catherine was a tertiary of the Dominican Order. She had a long list of remarkable achievements, including working to bring the seat of the papacy back to Rome, Italy from its displacement in France during the 13th century.
In 1375, she received the stigmata or the five wounds of Christ, although at her request, the wound marks became visible only after her death on April 29, 1380 in Rome at the young age of 33.
Pope Pius II canonized her on June 29, 1461. She was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970. In 1999, Saint Pope John Paul II declared her as one of Europe’s patron saints.