April 25, 1347: The Birth of Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena before Pope Gregory XI  April 29th is the feast of Saint Catherine of Siena, a woman associated with Pope Gregory XI, the last of the Avignon popes.Amidst conditions of grave political unrest and intrigue, with the papacy located in Avignon, rather than in Rome, Gregory XI intended to return to Rome. He was cognizant of the visions of St. Bridget of Sweden who warned him of his dependence on political alliances. Equally compelling was the visit from a young Dominican nun, Catherine of Siena. She visited Pope Gregory at Avignon as an ambassador of peace. Catherine could neither read nor write, but her powers of persuasion were immense, and she spoke to him through an interpreter. Known in her native land for her considerable compassion and great love for the poor, she was equally at home writing to popes, bishops, European leaders, and leaders in the Papal States. Her contention was the pope simply had to return to Rome, and she both chided him (he listened meekly to her words) and spoke with affection for him. Her letter, written to him in 1376, is lengthy and persuasive. And in another letter, she warned him, Don’t make it necessary for me to complain about you to Christ!