St Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine devoted her life to helping the poor and sick. She also dedicated much of her work to calling for reform of the Church, for the Church to be united and for people to confess and to love God totally. She established a monastery for women in 1377 outside of Siena. She is credited with composing over 400 letters, her Dialogue, which is her definitive work, and her prayers. These works are so influential that St. Catherine was declared a Doctor of the Church. She is one of the most influential and popular saints in the Church.
Caladrius
According to Roman mythology, the Caladrius is a snow-white bird that lives in the king’s house. It is said to be able to take the sickness into itself and then fly away, dispersing the sickness and healing both itself and the sick person. Early Christians believed that the Caladrius represents Christ, who is pure white without a trace of the blackness of sin.
Service, Humility, Bravery – virtues that Catherine followed throughout her life.
Dear Saint Catherine,
Help us always to see Christ in the storms of our lives and be the light to guide us.
Make us strong in faith and active in good works.
Be our healing angel and allow us to follow your acts of unselfish love.
Give us humility to help us always praise rather than criticise, to encourage rather than discourage and to build rather than destroy.
Teach us to be brave to face our battles and give us strength in our heart to do right, even when we are afraid.
Let us be the light of faith, knowing that in that light, everything is possible.
Amen.