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St. Catherine of Siena
TOWARD the south of Tuscany, enthroned on her three hills, her quaint old towers soaring into the blue Italian sky, stands Siena, the city of the Virgin. Few of the cities of Italy have changed so little in the course of the centuries as she. The frowning walls of a medieval stronghold still surround her, broken here and there by great gates on whose brick arches the blue and crimson and gold of the fourteenth century painters yet linger. Her old palaces, her gorgeous cathedral, her noble churches, her steep and narrow streets have changed but little in the last six hundred years.
The very name of Siena seems to bring with it a fragrance of lilies. It is the city of the Virgin Mother of God, solemnly dedicated to her in the year 1260, on the eve of the great battle of Montaperti, when the citizens of Siena won a glorious victory over the rival republic of Florence.
“Follow me now,” cried the leader of the Sienese army, fitly named Buonaguida, “let us surrender ourselves, our city, with all our rights, to the Queen of Eternal Life, to Our Lady and Mother, the Virgin Mary. Follow me, all of you, with purity of faith and freedom of will to make this offering.” Three days of thanksgiving followed on the victory, and for centuries after the favorite subject of the painters of Siena was that “Lady and Mother” who had helped their city in her need.
Not quite a hundred years after the battle of Montaperti, in the year 1347, there was born to Jacomo Benincasa, a well-to-do dyer of Siena, and his wife Lapa, a little daughter who was destined to be the glory of her native city and one of the most remarkable women of her time. The child, who was the youngest of a large family of sisters and brothers, was christened Catherine; but the little maid was so sweet and lovable, her winning ways and innocent baby talk had such power to comfort and cheer those who were sad or in trouble, that the neighbors called her “Eufrosina” or “Joy.” Monna Lapa would often miss her little daughter and find that she had been carried off by someone who was feeling lonely or sorrowful, and loud would be the outcries when the mother appeared to take possession of her baby. The sunshine that played round the golden head of the little Catherine seemed to have found its way into her heart, so happy was she, so innocently wise her childish sayings and so gentle the touch of her tiny hand.
The very name of Siena seems to bring with it a fragrance of lilies. It is the city of the Virgin Mother of God, solemnly dedicated to her in the year 1260, on the eve of the great battle of Montaperti, when the citizens of Siena won a glorious victory over the rival republic of Florence.
“Follow me now,” cried the leader of the Sienese army, fitly named Buonaguida, “let us surrender ourselves, our city, with all our rights, to the Queen of Eternal Life, to Our Lady and Mother, the Virgin Mary. Follow me, all of you, with purity of faith and freedom of will to make this offering.” Three days of thanksgiving followed on the victory, and for centuries after the favorite subject of the painters of Siena was that “Lady and Mother” who had helped their city in her need.
Not quite a hundred years after the battle of Montaperti, in the year 1347, there was born to Jacomo Benincasa, a well-to-do dyer of Siena, and his wife Lapa, a little daughter who was destined to be the glory of her native city and one of the most remarkable women of her time. The child, who was the youngest of a large family of sisters and brothers, was christened Catherine; but the little maid was so sweet and lovable, her winning ways and innocent baby talk had such power to comfort and cheer those who were sad or in trouble, that the neighbors called her “Eufrosina” or “Joy.” Monna Lapa would often miss her little daughter and find that she had been carried off by someone who was feeling lonely or sorrowful, and loud would be the outcries when the mother appeared to take possession of her baby. The sunshine that played round the golden head of the little Catherine seemed to have found its way into her heart, so happy was she, so innocently wise her childish sayings and so gentle the touch of her tiny hand.
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1913
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About the author
F.A. Forbes
75 books20 followersF. A. Forbes (16 March 1869 – 1936) was the nom de plume of Mother Frances Alice Monica Forbes, RSCJ, a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart from Scotland and a religious author.
She was born in 1869 as Alice Forbes into a Presbyterian family. Her mother died when she was a child. In 1900 she became a Roman Catholic. Only a few months later, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart, as a 31-year-old postulant.
She wrote numerous books, including brief biographies of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Saint John Bosco, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Columba, Saint Monica, Saint Athanasius, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Benedict, Saint Hugh of Lincoln, Saint Vincent de Paul, and, most famously, Pope Saint Pius X. She died in 1936.
She was born in 1869 as Alice Forbes into a Presbyterian family. Her mother died when she was a child. In 1900 she became a Roman Catholic. Only a few months later, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart, as a 31-year-old postulant.
She wrote numerous books, including brief biographies of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Saint John Bosco, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Columba, Saint Monica, Saint Athanasius, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Benedict, Saint Hugh of Lincoln, Saint Vincent de Paul, and, most famously, Pope Saint Pius X. She died in 1936.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 22, 2021
This is a short overview of the life of St Catherine. It will give you a good introduction to the thirty-three-year life of this woman who had such an impact on so many in her day.
January 31, 2025
Another one where I’m sure there’s much more reading I need to look into. Called the Pope a little baby and to man up once that’s awesome
April 17, 2009
This woman had some SERIOUS clout. She lived in the late 1300s and yet all the big players seemed to beg her to help them settle their major disputes. She even told the Pope to man up! And he took it. Then when Urban was elected she was asked to be an ambassador time and again during the Schism. Hooray for strong chicas!
July 17, 2011
A good introduction to the life of St. Catherine of Siena. Rather short, but it served its purpose in helping me get to know this saint a little better. I hope to pick up one of the larger biographies of her eventually. Definitely would recommend!
December 6, 2011
lovely, beautiful story
July 4, 2023
Catherine exhibited such a gentle demeanor that caused those who met her skeptically to fall back in repentance. What a beautiful gift; her mere presence brought others to reconcile their hearts toward God. She was firm in what she knew to be true and listened intently to the voice of the Lord. The way in which the Lord speaks to her is with such clarity and love; she received the words of the Lord with utmost confidence. I am in awe of her selflessness and the disciples who followed her closer to the Lord.
October 20, 2020
St. Catherine led such an amazing life, but the writing was so dry.
July 21, 2007
I was in Siena not long ago, and thought it would be worthwile to read this book. The style is partly booring and partly cute, like a sunday school story, but probably not meant for children. The idea of "mortification of the flesh" present in the book is hard to appreciate, but the person's life and devotion to God is sometimes inspiring.
October 7, 2011
It was a good book i guess
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews