WebClare is known as a patron of artists, probably because she worked as a manuscript illustrator. Change). She created beautiful illuminated manuscripts by painting small illustrations on the pages of prayer books and Bibles, which she also lettered and copied by hand. The Poor Clares of Bologna decided to place the former abbess body in a room inside the annexed Church of Corpus Domini, where her remains are still found today, more than 500 years later, in sitting position, holding a golden cross and a copy of the Holy Bible. Her body was found to be astonishingly untouched by death, and deemed incorrupt.. WebBologna, Italy, Sept. 8, 1413; d. there, March 9, 1463. Before dying she said a prayer and told the soldiers to execute their orders, and she was beheaded with a quick blow of the sword. Style: Mannerist. From the distance of so many centuries she is still very modern and speaks to our lives. Pope Benedict described this humble saint as, "From the distance of so many centuries she is still very modern and speaks to our lives. Among the long list of illustrious visitors to the chapel, some names draw special attention: St. Charles Borromeo, St. John Bosco and St. Therese of the Child Jesus. However, the religious, thinking of the regrettable consequences that this would have for the precious relic, asked permission to exhume the body of the abbess on the eighteenth day and deposit it in a vault. At midnight, Our Lady appeared to her, holding the Child Jesus close to her breast. Her diffidence in herself drew down God's blessing on her efforts to give the novices a good training. She was known for her holiness, asceticism, and spiritual visions and was said to have received stigmata. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Casting off comfortable courtly life with ready love and obedience, Catherine found great joy in performing humble duties of daily laundry and the baking of convent bread. Because of her artistic talent, she was declared patron saint of the arts. Location: Capitoline Museum, Rome It remains intact, never having decomposed for over five hundred years! In the end, the philosophers came to the realization that there really was only one true God, but they were killed because of their decision to follow Christ. And how is it that she has remained seated there for so many years? She also served as a caretaker for the animals. the holy Catholic knight At a young age she is said to have consecrated her virginity to Christ and experienced mystical visions. Learn interesting facts and tidbits about the beloved St. Patrick. Show the volunteers who bring you reliable, Catholic information that their work matters. As companion to Margaret d'Este she was educated at the ducal court until Margaret's marriage. 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. Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. As a sister, Catherine did her part for the community by performing more mundane tasks: laundry, baking and other housework. When at times it seemed to her that her afflicted body would be justified in complaining, she would say to herself, "O bundle of corruption, which will soon turn into dust, why should you complain? She was the member of an aristocratic family and the daughter of a diplomat to the Marquis of Ferrara. At his request she went to Florence (1378) and was there during the Ciompi Revolt in June. 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. Then she became Superioress of a new school in Bologna. He was followed by other Popes who have granted indulgences and privileges to pilgrims coming to the Sacred place to venerate the saint. In 1550, Pope Julius III brought Fontana and several other artists to Rome to work for him. Thank you. Her ministry eventually moved beyond her local community, and Catherine began to travel and promote church reform. Together with St. Catherine was her widowed mother, who, being a Franciscan tertiary and infirm, was received by the sisters as a religious. The ecclesiastical and civil authorities, as well as the people, received the foundresses of the new convent with great deference. A contemporary Poor Clare, Sister Illuminata Bembo, wrote her biography in 1469. Intelligent and vivacious, from an early age she was admired by those around her for the generosity and firmness with which she attached herself to the things of Heaven rather than those of the world. Printable Catholic Saints PDFs During the Lenten season of 1463, Catherine became seriously ill, and on March 9th she passed away. WebFrom Visionaries, Mystics and Stigmatists Perhaps, one of the greatest Miracles is the in-corrupt body of our Saint, seated on a regal throne in a Chapel to the left of the main altar in the Church of Corpus Domini in Bologna. All rights reserved. Perhaps partly thanks to such a secluded life, she proved an incredibly prolific artist, writer and philosopher, leaving behind many important pieces of work in her 49 years of life on earth. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Perhaps, one of the greatest Miracles is the in-corrupt body of our Saint, seated on a regal throne in a Chapel to the left of the main altar in the Church of Corpus Domini in Bologna. It remains intact, never having decomposed for over five hundred years! The Sette Armi Spirituali became an important part of the campaign for her canonization. He then awoke and began to pray again, and then approached the Saint and offered her his hands, which she devoutly kissed. Her feast day is celebrated on March 9. She was forty-nine years of age, thirty-two of which were spent in consecrated life. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. He revealed to her, moreover, that although the moment had come for her soul to ascend to Heaven, the prayers of her daughters had obtained for her a little more time on earth. Catherine became known as a miracle worker after her death in 1463. But Catherine, then aged 14, politely declined the offer in order to become a servant of God. Corrections? But whoever wishes to undertake this battle must never give up, for the enemies never sleep.2, St. Catherine conceived religious life as that of a soldier on the battlefield who courageously confronts the enemy. The virginal lips of the nun touched the face of the Child, who, in response to the love of his spouse, also gave her a kiss. Medium: Oil on Wood (580x310mm) Omissions? Saint John Cassian's feast day is February 29. WebIn St. Catherine of Bologna, Divine Providence deposited admirable gifts, among which stand out her docility in allowing herself to be loved by God. So, it was decided that she should be exhumed. Catherine is dressed in her religious habit seated upright on a golden throne behind glass in the chapel of the Poor Clares in Bologna. During her years in the palace, Catherine also discovered that God was calling her to a more simple and prayerful life. Born in Bologna on September 8, 1413, Catherine was the daughter of Giovanni dVigri, a noble gentleman of the Ferrara court, and Benvenuta Mammolini. The court with all of its splendor was not able to fascinate Saint Catherine of Bologna. In 1456 she founded in Bologna a convent of Poor Clares, serving as abbess until her death. A Rule is a specific expression of the Christian life which calls the men or women of a particular religious order to a daily pattern of prayer, work and charity. Saint Gabriel Francis Possenti's feast day is February 28. St. Catherine of Siena was a Dominican tertiary and mystic who lived in Italy in the 1300s. Catherine continued to paint and to write beautiful spiritual guides and poetry. WebCatherine lived at Corpus Domini, Ferrara most of her life from 1431 to 1456, serving as Mistress of Novices. [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. Catherine tried, indeed, to be excused, explaining that she was entirely incapable of this task; but she was compelled by obedience to accept it. [15] Other panel paintings and manuscripts attributed to her include the Madonna and Child (nicknamed the Madonna del Pomo) in the Cappella Della Santa, a possible portrait or self-portrait in the autograph copy of the Sette Armi Spirituali, a Redeemer, and another Madonna and Child in her chapel. She, like us, suffered temptations, she suffered the temptations of disbelief, of sensuality, of a difficult spiritual struggle. Four years later, a royal princess founded a convent for this society according to the rule of St. Clare, and several zealous sisters from Mantua introduced the young women to the Poor Clare rule of life. Saint Catherine was particularly tactful in preserving peace within herself and peace among the members of her community. The birth of Saint Catherine of Bologna was foretold to her devout father by the Blessed Virgin, with the announcement that the child would be a brilliant light throughout the world. 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. Copyright 2017 - RCL Benziger. The Saint remained in prayer for some time, after which he lay down and went into a deep sleep. She was followed by Popes (one of whom was Pope Clement VII), Cardinals (including St. Charles Borromeo who gifted her with a precious vestment), Emperors, Princes and all kinds of personages. Prospero Fontana was an Italian Mannerist Painter who lived from 1512 to 1597. It remains intact, never having decomposed for over five hundred years! 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