"Whoever wishes to carry the cross for His sake must take up the proper weapons for the contest, especially those mentioned here. First, diligence; second, distrust of self; third, confidence in God; fourth, remembrance of Passion; fifth, mindfulness of one’s own death; sixth, remembrance of God’s glory; seventh, the injunctions of Sacred Scripture following the example of Jesus Christ in the desert." – Saint Catherine, from On the Seven Spiritual Weapons

Feast Day: March 9

Patron of:

• Against temptations
• Art
• Artists
• Liberal Arts
• Painters

Catherine was born to a noble family of Bologna, Italy. Her Father was a diplomat. According to tradition her father received a vision foretelling her birth. As a nobleman's daughter she was named Maid of Honor at the wedding of the daughter of a Marquis and received the same training and education as the bride. At the age of 14 she became a Franciscan tertiary. A Poor Clare nun, she held the role of  Novice Mistress. She established a Poor Clare convent at Bologna, Italy in 1456, and served as its abbess. She is regarded as a miracle worker, prophetess, mystic, visionary, painter and manuscript illuminator. It is said that she received a vision of Jesus cradled in Mary's arms on Christmas Day.