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St Catherine of Siena
Mystic, Doctor of the Church, peacemaker to popes.
Patron of Italy, Europe, nurses · 1347–1380 · Feast: Apr 29
Life
A 14th-century Dominican tertiary who rebuked popes, mediated between warring Italian city-states, and dictated mystical works including The Dialogue. Illiterate as a girl, she became one of only four women named Doctor of the Church.
Prayer
St Catherine, light of the Church, give us courage to speak truth to power and gentleness to comfort the wounded.