Roman Inc - Saint Catherine of Siena Doctor of the Church

ROMAN INC - SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA - DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

Figurine comes nicely displayed in a box with a front window, with a prayer on the front and the story of the Saint on the back, and a prayer card inside.

"Prayer to Saint Catherine of Siena:
Eternal God, eternal Trinity, You have made the Blood of Christ so precious through His sharing in Your Divine nature. You are a mystery as deep as the sea; the more I search, the more I find, and the more I find, the more I search for You. But I can never be satisfied; what I receive will ever leave me desiring more. When You fill my soul, I have an ever-greater hunger, and I grow more famished for Your light. I desire above all to see You, the true light, as you really are. Amen."

As the Renaissance was beginning, Catherine was born as the 23rd child of Jacopo and Lapa Benincasa on March 25, 1347 in Siena, Italy. A joyful child, Catherine knew bny age six that she wanted to devote her life to serving God. As Catherine grew older, her parents encouraged her to improve her appearance in order to find a suitable husband. As Catherine's interest was to serve God, she cut off her own hair and refused to seek out someone to marry. At age 18, Catherine joined the Dominicans as a tertiary, or someone who follows the practices of the sisters but lives outside of a convent. After three years of seclusion, prayer and fasting, Catherine emerged as a powerful, up-and-coming figure in the Church. She had visions of Christ, in which Catherine felt she had a mystical marriage with Christ and He shared His heart with her. Christ told her to help the sick and poor, and Catherine quickly devoted her time to doing just that, including those affected by the plague.
Catherine learned to read and write later in life, which led to her sending letters to many prominent people of that time. She wrote to people asking for peace between the republics of Italy, and for the return of the Pope from Avignon, France to Rome, Italy. After what is known as the "Great Schism" which lasted from this time until long after Catherine's death, the papacy did return to Rome. In Catherine's short, 33-year life, she wrote almost 400 letters, counseled two popes, and wrote four major treatises titled The Dialogue. Through it all, prayer guided and sustained her. On a visit to Pisa, Catherine was praying when five rays of red light emanated from the crucifix piercing her hands, feet and head. The wounds of the stigmata stayed with her, but were invisible to others until after her death. Catherine died on April 29, 1380, and was canonized in 1461. She was named Doctor of the Church in 1970. St. Catherine is the patroness of Italy, fire protection and nurses.

Feast Day: April 29

Material: Resin, Stone Mix
Dimensions: Approx. H 9.5cm x W 4.5cm