"Eternal God, You are a fire that takes away the coldness, illuminates the mind with its light, and causes me to know Your truth."
What the world was like
Catherine was born in the late Middle Ages, a time of great change in the world and for the Church. The bubonic plague, a deadly and contagious disease often called The Black Death, spread across Europe and killed one third of the population. Also during Catherine's lifetime, the pope, who had always lived in Rome, was living in France, which caused problems for the Church. It was also the beginning of the Renaissance, a revival of classical art, architecture, literature, and learning that began in Italy. The Hundred Years War between France and England began and the first cannons were used in battle. During Catherine's lifetime, the technique of knitting was introduced.
Who she was
Catherine was from a very large family. She had twenty-five brothers and sisters. Her family lived in Northern Italy. Her father was a wool dyer and her mother ran the household and took care of all the children. Catherine did not go to school and did not have a formal education.
When she was very young, Catherine began to find quiet places where she could pray and talk to God. At the age of sixteen, she joined the Third Order of Dominican nuns. She wore their habit and lived in a small room in her parents' home. Catherine spent three years in this room, praying. After this time, she began to serve those who were sick and poor. People began to visit her because they wanted to follow her example of living in God's love.
There were many disagreements in the Church during Catherine's life. The pope was living in France instead of Rome. Catherine believed that God wanted the disagreements to end so she began to write to the pope. She convinced the Pope to move back to Rome.
Catherine continued to write letters to all kinds of people, from the poorest in the land to the richest and most famous. It was considered a miracle that Catherine was able to write well because she never attended school. In her letters, Catherine encouraged people to live in peace.
What this saint means to us today
Catherine's writings are among the classics of Italian literature. The advice and wisdom contained in her writings can still be applied to our lives today. Catherine wrote that no matter where people lived or who they were, they should realize that all their talents and everything they have is from God. Catherine used her talents to have a positive effect on the world.
