Model of Faith Research Worksheet St.

Catherine of Siena
Biographical Information (Part1): - Born/Place: March 25, 1347 in Italy, Siena ("St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 24 Sep. 2011, pg. 1) - Died/Place: April 29, 1380 in Rome, Italy ("St. Catherine of Siena (13471380)." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 24 Sep. 2011, pg. 1) - Nationality/Ethnicity: Italian and white (http://www.nndb.com/people/253/000095965/) - Family (parents, siblings): St. Catherine of Siena was the youngest of the twenty-five children of Giacomo di Benincasa, a dyer, and was born, with a twin sister who did not survive her birth, on the 25th of March 1347; In 1368 her father died, and she assumed the care of her mother Lapa (http://www.nndb.com/people/253/000095965/) - Religious Background: and at the age of seven solemnly dedicated her virginity to Jesus Christ; at 13 she joined the Dominican Sisters of Penitence in Siena. By the time she was 20, Catherine had become so widely known for her personal holiness and asceticism that she attracted a group of spiritual disciples--priests and laymen, men and women ("St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 24 Sep. 2011, pg. 1) - Economic Background (poor or wealthy): no information, but Im guessing she was pretty normally well off, her father was a dyer - Struggles/Hardships faced: The many letters she dictated during the next 10 years show that her interest broadened from the religious to the political affairs of the time. The city-state of Florence was at war with the Pope and was torn by opposing factions.; In June 1376 Catherine went to Avignon herself as ambassador of Florence to make peace with the Papal States, but was unsuccessful. She also tried to convince Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome ("St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 24 Sep. 2011, pg. 1) and (Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_of_Siena) - Major Accomplishments: In 1376 Catherine was persuaded to act as a mediator and bring peace to Florence; advisor to the Pope ("St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 24 Sep. 2011, pg. 1) - Person(s) who inspired/challenged her, how? : She was obviously inspired by Christ and God. She claims to have a spiritual marriage with Christ so she must be pretty motivated to spread the word of Christianity - Interesting Facts: She was declared Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI on October 4, 1970; Her name means "pure one"; She is the patron

saint of firefighters and fire prevention; illness and nursing; and those who suffer miscarriage, sexual and other temptations, and ridicule because of their piety. She is also the patron saint of the diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania; the USA; and Europe, especially Siena, Italy (http://saintcatherineschurch.org/catherine.php) Part 2: - Breifly explain the isues of faith or social justice faced or worked on by your model of faith: