Abbess (1413–1463)

St. Catherine was born of a noble family in Bologna and raised in luxury. Yet at fourteen she persuaded her family to let her join a community of Franciscan tertiaries. From an early age she had experienced visions of Jesus, “who would enter into her soul like a radiant sunshine to establish there the profoundest peace.” But there were also demonic thoughts that sometimes plunged her into despair. Through constant prayer she vanquished such doubts, and one night during the Christmas vigil she was rewarded by an encounter with the Blessed Mother, who offered her the great privilege of holding her infant Son.

After some years Catherine was directed to take charge of a convent of Poor Clares in Bologna. Her reputed gifts of healing and prophecy—as well as her deep kindness—

attracted many novices. Whenever she had to correct a young sister, she would insist on sharing her punishment. When one of the novices was tempted to leave, Catherine pledged to take her place in purgatory until the end of time if only she would remain. (The novice stayed.)

She died on March 9, 1463. Among her last instructions, she said, “If you would have all, you must give all.”

“It means little to wear a worn habit and walk with bowed head; to be truly humble one has to know how to bear humiliation. It is the touchstone of Christian discipleship.”

—St. Catherine of Bologna