St. Catherine of Siena: The Girl Who Told the Pope What to Do
When Catherine of Siena was 29 years old, she traveled to Avignon, France and told the Pope he needed to go back to Rome. He went.
The 24th of 25 Children
Catherine was born in Siena, Italy in 1347. She had 24 brothers and sisters, and she still managed to stand out. When she was six years old she had a vision of Jesus smiling at her from the sky. From that point on she seemed to know her life was going to look different from everyone else's.
Her parents wanted her to get married. She cut off her hair so she'd be less appealing to potential suitors. Her family's response was to make her do all the household chores. She did them happily, pretending she was serving Jesus himself.
A Voice That Changed Things
Catherine never went to school. She didn't learn to read and write until she was grown. But once she did, she wrote constantly. Letters to priests. Letters to kings. Letters to prisoners. Letters to the Pope. Her letters were direct and fearless and full of fire.
When she convinced Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome after years away, she was younger than a lot of people are when they figure out what they want to do with their lives.
What She Said
Her most famous words: Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.
She believed every person, no matter how ordinary, had exactly what they needed to do something that mattered.
Fun Facts
- She's one of only four women ever named a Doctor of the Church
- She's the patron saint of Italy and of Europe
- She dictated a famous book called The Dialogue while so deep in prayer that others had to write it down for her
- Her feast day is April 29
Questions families ask
How many brothers and sisters did St. Catherine of Siena have?
Catherine was the 24th of 25 children born to her mother, Lapa. Her twin sister, Giovanna, died as a baby, so Catherine grew up surrounded by a small army of older brothers and sisters. Even in a house that full, she stood out.
What was St. Catherine of Siena's family like?
Her father, Giacomo, dyed wool for a living, and the family home in Siena was big, loud, and full of faith. Her parents hoped she would marry. When she refused, they handed her the household chores, and she did every one of them cheerfully, pretending the whole time that she was serving Jesus himself.
Did St. Catherine of Siena go to school?
No. Catherine never went to school, and she could not read or write until she was grown. Once she learned, she made up for lost time with hundreds of letters to popes, queens, prisoners, and friends. Nearly 400 of them survive today.
What is St. Catherine of Siena known for?
She persuaded Pope Gregory XI to leave Avignon and bring the papacy home to Rome, something ambassadors and armies had not managed. She is also one of only four women ever named a Doctor of the Church, which means Catholics everywhere still learn from her words.
Want your child to get a letter from St. Catherine? Letters from Heaven sends a hand-illustrated letter, prayer card, sticker, and saint zine to your mailbox every month.
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