Catherine of Siena

Catherine of Siena was born in Siena, Italy, on March 25, 1347.
* She was the 23rd of 25 children born to a cloth dyer and his wife.
* She had a deep religious faith from a young age and began to have mystical experiences.
* She joined the Dominican Order and became a tertiary, or lay member.
* She was a prolific writer and wrote over 400 letters.
* She was also a political activist and worked to end the Great Schism in the Catholic Church.
* She died in Rome in 1380 at the age of 33.
* She was canonized a saint in 1461.
* She is now known as one of the greatest mystics and saints of the Catholic Church.