St. Catherine of Siena

Feast day: April 29
Lived in Italy 1347-1380

Continuing to illustrate the chapters of Pope (Emeritus) Benedict XVI's book Holy Women. Chapter ten is about St. Catherine of Siena, an influential and holy 14th century nun, who is Patroness of Italy and Co-Patroness of Europe and the City of Rome.

LIFE AND WORKS
    St. Catherine was born in Siena in 1347 and at age sixteen, inspired by a vision, entered the female branch of the Third Order of the Dominicans. Awed by her holiness, many people from all walks of life turned to Catherine for spiritual guidance.
    The Church was going through a troubled period in the 14th century. St. Catherine traveled widely and urged for reform within the Church. She did so not in defiance but out of love for Christ's Church. Though she had to face suspicions and hostility, she also inspired many to strive for holiness and gained a number of spiritual children.
    St. Catherine received many visions and gifts of insight and wisdom. In one such vision Jesus gave her a ring, saying: "I, your Creator and Savior, espouse you in the faith, that you will keep ever pure until you celebrate your eternal nuptials with me in Heaven." In another vision Christ took Catherine's heart and placed his own heart in its place. Catherine's life was centered on Christ, who was like a spouse to her.
    Catherine's teachings can be found in her writings: Dialogue of Divine Providence, Epistolario and her collection of Prayers. These teachings were deemed so excellent by the Church that St. Catherine has been declared a Doctor of the Church.

           "Out of mercy you have washed us in his Blood, out of mercy you have wished to converse with creatures. O crazed with love! It did not suffice for you to take flesh, but you also wished to die!... O mercy! My heart drowns in thinking of you: for no matter where I turn to think, I find only mercy."
                                - St. Catherine of Siena (Dialogue of Divine Providence)

Technical notes:
Used this, this, this and this picture loosely as a reference and this website as a resource for choosing the symbols (crown of throns, lilies, book, church).
Watercolour pencils, pro markers, black pens. Background and border added digitally.

Holy Women by Pope Benedict XVI
    - Chapter 1: St. Hildegard of Bingen
    - Chapter 2: St. Clare of Assisi
    - Chapter 3: St. Matilda of Hackeborn
    - Chapter 4: St. Gertrude the Great
    - Chapter 5: Bl. Angela of Foligno
    - Chapter 6: St. Elizabeth of Hungary
    - Chapter 7: St. Bridget of Sweden
    - Chapter 8: Marguerite d'Oingt
    - Chapter 9: St. Juliana of Cornillon
    - Chapter 10: St. Catherine of Siena
    - Chapter 11: Julian of Norwich
    - Chapter 12: St. Veronica Giuliani
    - Chapter 13: St. Catherine of Bologna
    - Chapter 14: St. Catherine of Genoa
    - Chapter 15: St. Joan of Arc
    - Chapter 16: St. Teresa of Ávila
    - Chapter 17: St. Thérèse of Lisieux