Saint Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church, co-patron of Italy and Europe, ambassador of peace and brotherhood. The saint, endowed with exceptional mystical graces, dedicated her life to caring for the poor, the needy and above all the sick: in fact, Catherine is also the patroness of nurses. The appearance of Jesus, Mary and the saints completely changed her life when she was 20 years old.
Saint Catherine of Siena
Proclaimed Saint in 1461, she is celebrated today as co-patron saint of Rome and co-patron saint of Italy together with San Francesco d'Assisi. Since 1999 October XNUMX, Saint Catherine of Siena has also been co-patron of Europe together with Saint Benedict, at the behest of Pope John Paul II. Saint Catherine born in Siena on March 25, 1347 and died in Rome on April 29, 1380, is one of the most incisive and charismatic personalities of all time. Catherine managed to dialogue with the highest political, civil and ecclesiastical authorities of her time. This, with the aim of bringing peace and unity among all peoples, leaving posterity with a profound message of love and fidelity to God. Peace is precisely the theme of the celebrations that the Sienese Church has organized this year in honor of the beloved saint, promoting a twinning with Assisi, the hometown of Poor thing.
The celebrations
On the occasion of the liturgical feast of the saint, an articulated program of celebrations is foreseen. At the Shrine-House of Santa Caterina, the mass will be presided over by the cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice, archbishop of Siena-Colle di Val D'Elsa-Montalcino together with all the priests of the diocese. Subsequently, in Viale XXV Aprile in Siena, a floral tribute will be placed at the foot of the statue of the saint by the entire ecclesial community. In the late afternoon of today, April 29, in Piazza del Campo the procession led by Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice, by the mayor of Siena, Luigi De Mossi and by the mayor of Assisi, Stefania Proietti, will unfold. At the end of the procession, the award ceremony will be held “Traveling with Catherine” promoted by the school office of the archdiocese. The ceremony will end with the flag waving of the districts and with the solemn blessing to Italy and Europe with the relic di Saint Catherine.
The offering of votive oil and candles
Tomorrow morning, Sunday 30 April, the procession of the districts will leave from the town hall towards the Sanctuary-House of Santa Caterina. Here will be held the traditional offering of oil for the votive lamp which this year is offered by the municipality of Chiusdino, center of the Sienese province which will be represented by the mayor Luciana Bartalettiand by the local community. To follow theoffer of candles to the saint by associations and aggregations laymen. Greetings from the civil and religious authorities are expected.
(Wikimedia Commons house-shrine images – Janos Korom CC BY SA 2.O)
