St Catherine of Siena

Catherine was the 25th child of Jacopo and Lapa Benincasa! She was a very holy and wise person, even as a little child. Her mother had always wished that she would be married, but she only ever wanted to be a nun. To convince her mother to let her join the convent, she cut off all her beautiful long hair so no man would want to marry her. Finally, her parents allowed her to enter the Dominican Third Order when she was 16 years old. Sr. Catherine had lots of visions of Mary and Jesus. She could also see peoples’ guardian angels as clear as she could she the people themselves. Although she had not gone to school, she had a very good understanding of God. She often used this gift to help different Kings, Queens, and Popes to make important decisions that were pleasing to God. She also wrote many letters that have helped guide the Church. She is considered an important Doctor of the Church. She died in Rome in the year 1380, at the age of 33.