Her father, John of Vigri, was a relative of the marquis of Este, who resided in Ferrara. So she put the bread in the oven, said I entrust you to Christ and then went to hear the sermon, which lasted more than four hours. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Expert Her chief work is considered to be Le sette armi necessarie alla battaglia spirituale (composed in 1438; Eng. Thank you! As companion to Margaret d'Este she was educated at the ducal court until Margaret's marriage. She was not in a position to return to the bakery until five hours later, and certainly believed that everything had been burned by that time. In the beginning, after they realized they could not place her body in the grave, four nuns would carry Saint Catherine's body to the parlor on a wooden stretcher, every time visitors came to view the body, or the faithful wanted to venerate the Saint. The novice mistress blessed her and the young woman, feeling immediately free of the infernal enemy, asked the Saint what words she had said. Saint Catherine was beatified in 1524 by Pope Clement VII and canonized on May 22, 1712 by Pope Clement XI. The Dispute of Saint Catherine is listed among his major works. Accordingly, she encouraged the members of her community with words such as these: Beloved sisters, the dowry that Christ Jesus wants to find in each one of you is that you be valiant in battle, that is, strong and steadfast in the fight.3, However, it was not only her gifts as a pious writer that the novices of Ferrara could appreciate. She did this with all the reverence of a daughter, and when the service was finished, she held and kissed them with deep veneration. While they were unable to account for this, Catherine, knowing the source of all good from whom this miraculous event proceeded, began to give out the wine openly and unstintingly to all the poor people she knew, but even then the cask showed no signs of drying up or the wine of losing its flavor. She had been buried without a coffin, as were all those who died in her order, but her body was exhumed eighteen days later when a heavenly perfume was noticed to come form the area. Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more. She was a model of piety and reported experiencing miracles and several visions of Christ, the Virgin Mary, Thomas Becket, and Joseph, as well as future events, such as the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Catherine became a tertiary (member of a monastic third order who takes simple vows and may remain outside a convent or monastery) of the Dominican order (1363), joining the Sisters of Penitence of St. Dominic in Siena. She accepted the offer and, together with 12 nuns from her home monastery of Ferrara, she helped found the Corpus Domini monastery in Bologna. Her incorrupt body is preserved in the city of Bologna, in the chapel of the monastery of Corpus Domini. Annunciation; Miraculous Draught of Fish; Transfiguration; Raising of Lazarus; Resurrection; Amanda Weaver. As a mistress of novices, St. Catherine left behind an important treatise on the spiritual life which, centuries later, continues to be useful not only for religious, but for all those who aspire to walk the paths of perfection. One of them, who would later take the name Cecilia, afflicted by a terrible temptation and violent attacks of the devil, went to Catherine for help. To the right of the throne she saw an Archangel, probably St. Gabriel, who, while playing a stringed instrument, sang: Et gloria ejus in te videbitur and his glory will be seen upon you (Is 60:2). At just 17 years old, Catherine joined a semi-religious lay community and later went on to join other women in founding a monastery of the Order of Poor Clares. At his request she went to Florence (1378) and was there during the Ciompi Revolt in June. Saint Catherine was particularly tactful in preserving peace within herself and peace among the members of her community. Copyright (c) 2010 Bob and Penny Lord's Site, Bob and Penny Lord are renowned Catholic authors and television hosts on EWTN, Global Catholic television. St. Catherine of Siena died at age 33 in Rome, and most of her body is buried there at Santa Maria sopra Minerva basilica. Copyright 2017 - RCL Benziger. But her humility did not stop her spiritual and creative genius. WebSt. She is a patron saint of artists. by A.G. McDougall, The Spiritual Armour, 1926). She was buried in Bologna but soon after her burial, miracles began happening near her gravesite. Throughout her life, Catherine experienced visions of both Jesus Christ and Satan, which she documented in her treatise. Medium: Oil on Wood (580x310mm) Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. As a sister, Catherine did her part for the community by performing more mundane tasks: laundry, baking and other housework. The manual was based on Catherines experience in dealing with visions of both God and Satan, and contains strategies to cope with temptation. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. Saint Catherine of Bologna One of the nuns noticed a bit of skin which seemed to hang from one of Catherine's feet, and so pulled it off. She was exhumed 18 days later after visitors noticed a sweet smell coming from her grave and some experienced miracles. Learn about this Italian saint, whose feast is March 9. . As companion to Margaret d'Este she was educated at the ducal court until Margaret's marriage. She also served as a caretaker for the animals. Catherine was buried in the convent graveyard, but after eighteen days, a sweet smell emanated from the grave and the incorrupt body was exhumed. Catherine returned home and joined a group of young women who performed good works in Jesus name and spent time in prayer together every day. She accepted the offer and, together with 12 nuns from her home monastery of Ferrara, she helped found the Corpus Domini monastery in Bologna. Her most remarkable vision was on Christmas Eve, when she claimed that Mary appeared to her with baby Jesus, and that Mary even let Catherine hold him. From the distance of so many centuries she is still very modern and speaks to our lives. Author and Publisher - Catholic Online Finally, O Lord, in Thy infinite mercy exalt those who will invoke Thee through me so that Thy name be always glorified.Her devotion to the work of the Lord, even until death, is a powerful story of what wholehearted love for God looks like. At that time there lived in the monastery a twelve-year-old girl called Rose Magdalene. During the Lenten season of 1463, Catherine became seriously ill, and on March 9th she passed away. Author But when we got there, we discovered a very powerful Saint who became very personal to us. 1478). - King Fernando III! Her body was found to be flexible and uncorrupted. She was stricken with a very high fever, chest pains and an excruciating headache, as well as haemorrhaging. Yet in all these situations she was always holding the Lord's hand, she did not leave him, she did not abandon him. Co-Author: Penny Lord| St. Catherine of Bologna was born in Italy in 1413. Location: Capitoline Museum, Rome When Saint Catherine of Bologna was 17 years old, she obtained the consent of her mother--her father having already died--to join a pious company of young women in Ferrara who led a religious life but had not yet adopted a definite rule. Catherine especially enjoyed the art lessons she and Margaret were given. Her feast day is celebrated on March 9. Born in Bologna on September 8, 1413, Catherine was the daughter of Giovanni dVigri, a noble gentleman of the Ferrara court, and Benvenuta Mammolini. Now, who is this abbess, so benevolent that even today she kindly welcomes all who come to see her? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). At the time, the custom of the Poor Clares did not allow the sisters to be buried in a coffin. So be it!. WebSt. All rights reserved. In the very first pages of this book, entitled The Seven Spiritual Weapons, she describes the life of a Christian as follows: At the beginning and at the end of this battle, one must pass through a stormy sea, that is, through many distressing temptations and fierce battles.1 And to help us triumph in this struggle, she adds: I want to give you at the very outset some weapons that will enable you to fight effectively against the cunning of our enemies. Her body was discovered incorrupt and remains so today. WebThroughout her life, Catherine experienced visions of both Jesus Christ and Satan, which she documented in her treatise. [2] The treatise was circulated in manuscript form through a network of Poor Clare convents. When the rebellious city of Florence was placed under an interdict by Pope Gregory XI (1376), Catherine determined to take public action for peace within the church and Italy and to encourage a Crusade against the Muslims. In the year 1475, it was decided that her remains would be placed in a side chapel of the church belonging to the monastery. In 1426, after Niccolo III's execution of Parisina d'Este for infidelity, Catherine left court and joined a lay community of beguines living a semi-religious life and following the Augustinian rule. Catherine, then 14, joined a group of Franciscan tertiaries in Ferrara who later adopted the Rule of St. Clare. Encourage children to be creative in decorating their pages. But even after her death her sisters were to be made joyful through her. After being examined by doctors, the body remained exposed for the devotion of the faithful for six days, and was then placed in a crypt under the altar. Catherine received a wonderful education in reading, writing, singing and drawing while being raised at the court of the Duke of Ferrara. The reputation of the Community for its holiness and austerity became widespread. WebOf noble birth, Catherine was educated at the Este court at Ferrara and entered the order in 1432. As a sister, Catherine did her part for the community by performing more mundane tasks: laundry, baking and other housework. *from: The Franciscan Book of Saints, ed. And, her painting of St. Ursula remains on display in a Venice gallery. In St. Catherine of Bologna, Divine Providence deposited admirable gifts, among which stand out her docility in allowing herself to be loved by God. Throughout her life Catherine claimed to have visions and revelations. In 1432, Catherine and other young women of Ferrara founded a monastery of the Order of Poor Clares, an order founded by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. Entries can include saints known for their artistic talents or other favorite saints. St. Catherine immediately went to the injured religious and with utmost serenity joined the amputated member to her body, tracing the sign of the Cross over it. St. Catherine was convinced that the moment of her departure from this world was at hand, but her spiritual daughters, although resigned to the divine plan, redoubled their prayers and supplications asking Heaven to leave her a little longer among them. http://www.edocere.org/articles/st_catharine_alexandria.htm In 1456 she founded in Bologna a convent of Poor Clares, serving as abbess until her death. Her self-taught style incorporated motifs from needlework and devotional prints. . For more information about Visionaries, Mystics and Stigmatists like Saint Catherine of Bologna go to: http://www.bobandpennylord.com/vms.htm, Article Source: masculine, Catholic character! WebIn St. Catherine of Bologna, Divine Providence deposited admirable gifts, among which stand out her docility in allowing herself to be loved by God. Her feast day is 9 March. Catherine of Bologna was an Italian nun and artist born as Catherine de' Vigri on September 8, 1413, in Bologna, Italy. As was the custom of the Poor Clares, she was buried without a coffin. Catherine of Bologna [Caterina de' Vigri] (8 September 1413 9 March 1463)[1][2] was an Italian Poor Clare, writer, teacher, mystic, artist, and saint. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. You have entered an incorrect email address! [12] She meditated while she copied the scriptural text, adding about 1000 prayer rubrics, and drew initials with bust-portraits of saints, paying special attention to images of Clare and Francis. During the Lenten season of 1463, Catherine became seriously ill, and on March 9th she passed away. WebThe Deliverance of St. Peter; The Healing of the Lame Man; The Dispute of St. Catherine; Miracle of the Black Sea; John Shipley. They found it in perfect condition. Catherine of Bologna is the patron saint of artists. 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