St. Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena was born in Tuscany, Italy, March 25, 1347. She began to have visions of Jesus, Mary and saints at the age of 6. Although her parents wanted her to marry, she became a Dominican tertiary at age 16. She was a counselor to Pope Gregory XI and Pope Urban VI. St. Catherine wrote many letters and a treatise which are considered some of the most brilliant writings in the Catholic Church’s history. A stigmatist, she died April 29, 1380, of illness. She is patron saint against bodily ills and against fire.