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St.
Catherine of Siena
Feast Day: April 29
In 1378, something tore the Church
apart—two men both claimed to be pope. One lived in Avignon, France;
the other lived in Rome, Italy. The Church had a problem. When this happens,
the Holy Spirit inspires someone to help the Church.
That person was Catherine. She had been born in 1347 in Siena, Italy.
Her parents had 25 children. Catherine was number 23. Most of her brothers
and sisters grew up and married. But Catherine chose to serve God by staying
single. She joined the Dominican Third Order and lived a holy life at
home.
Soon people began visiting her there, because she taught them something
important. Through prayer, Catherine had learned that everyone can be
holy. She knew that God calls each and every one of us to holiness. But
holiness is not like a jacket that fits us for only a few months. No.
We grow into holiness day by day—all our life long.
Catherine showed people how to become holy by living the Gospels. She
showed them how by visiting prisoners. She also worked in hospitals to
help the sick. She helped the pope make peace in the Church.
Catherine died in 1380, when she was 33. In every way she could, Catherine
had worked to help people become friends of God. And that is holiness!
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Grade 5, chapter 18
