Veneration Catherine of Siena

sarcophagus of catherine beneath high altar of santa maria sopra minerva, rome

she buried in (roman) cemetery of santa maria sopra minerva lies near pantheon. after miracles reported take place @ grave, raymond moved inside basilica of santa maria sopra minerva, lies day.

the chapel of saint catherine, basilica of san domenico in siena

her head however, parted body , inserted in gilt bust of bronze. bust later taken siena, , carried through city in procession dominican church. behind bust walked lapa, catherine s mother, lived until 89 years old. had seen end of wealth , happiness of family, , followed of children , several of grandchildren grave. helped raymond of capua write biography of daughter, , said, think god has laid soul athwart in body, can t out. incorrupt head , thumb entombed in basilica of san domenico @ siena, remain.

pope pius ii, himself siena, canonized catherine on 29 june 1461.

on 3 october 1970, pope paul vi named catherine doctor of church; title simultaneously given saint teresa of Ávila (27 september 1970), making them first women receive honour.

initially however, feast day not included in general roman calendar. when added in 1597, put on day of death, april 29; however, because conflicted feast of saint peter of verona fell on 29th of april, catherine s feast day moved in 1628 new date of april 30. in 1969 revision of calendar, decided leave celebration of feast of st peter of verona local calendars, because not known worldwide, , catherine s feast restored april 29.

patronage

in decree of 13 april 1866, pope pius ix declared catherine of siena co-patroness of rome. on 18 june 1939 pope pius xii named joint patron saint of italy along saint francis of assisi.

on 1 october 1999, pope john paul ii made 1 of europe s patron saints, along edith stein , bridget of sweden. patroness of historically catholic american woman s fraternity, theta phi alpha.

iconography

the people of siena wished have catherine s body. story told of miracle whereby partially successful: knowing not smuggle whole body out of rome, decided take head placed in bag. when stopped roman guards, prayed catherine them, confident rather have body (or @ least part thereof) in siena. when opened bag show guards, appeared no longer hold head full of rose petals. once @ siena, reopened bag head visible once more. due story, catherine seen holding lily.