Catherine of Siena is one of only four women who were named doctors of the church, meaning that her writings, including the mystical The Dialogue and her prayers and letters, have special authority in Roman Catholicism. She was an important defender of the papacy and is a patron saint of Europe and of Italy.
Saint Catherine of Siena joined the Dominican order of nuns at a very early age at the displeasure of her parents. From a very young age, Catherine felt the calling of religious life and a deep connection to Our Lord Jesus.
Among many things she accomplished in her life, Catherine negotiated a peace deal with the Church and Florence and was highly influential with the pope. A rarity for women of her time.
As a theologian and Philosopher, she wrote the famous works The Dialogue. She is only one of four women Doctors of the Church.
She is believed to have received miraculous visions and felt united in marriage to Jesus, referred to as the "Mystical Marriage".
She is the patron saint of fire prevention, sexual temptation, the sick, nurses, and the patron saint of Italy. Her feast day is April 29th.
