RELEASE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS' OF ENGLAND: A group of Dominican sisters are praying for the future happiness of Prince William and Catherine Middleton marrying on the day that is traditionally set aside to celebrate the feast day of St Catherine of Siena. St Catherine of Siena was born in 1347, the 24th of 25 children of a wool dyer in northern Italy. She became a lay member of the Dominican Order in the Roman Catholic Church when she was 16 and so is a very special saint to Dominicans today. St. Catherine was one of the most brilliant theological minds of her day and persuaded the Pope to go back to Rome from Avignon, in 1377. She died in 1380 at the age of 33 having received the stigmata* in 1375. Her body was found incorrupt in 1430. 29th April is the day that the Catholic Church traditionally observes her feast day. This year the day falls in Easter week when the Church celebrates the Resurrection of Christ.
His Eminence, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor (England and Wales), was assigned the titular church of the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva when he was created a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001. The Basilica houses the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena. His Eminence, who will be attending the wedding, said ahead of the big day:
‘It is beautiful that they are being married on the feast of St. Catherine of Siena. St. Catherine was a Dominican Tertiary and a bold and wonderful saint. She is buried under the altar of the Dominican Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome which is close to where she died. She is both a Doctor of the Church and one of the Patronesses of Europe. Here are two quotes from her writings: ‘Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire’ and, talking to God, she said, ‘You make the heart big – not stingy – so big it has room in its loving charity for everyone.’
St. Catherine's letters, and a treatise called ‘The Dialogue’ are considered to be among some of the most brilliant writings in the history of the Catholic Church. Cambridge based Sr Ann Catherine Swailes, who is a member of the Dominican Sisters of the English Congregation of Saint Catherine of Siena, shared:
‘St Catherine of Siena is so important to us as a religious community. I hope that many people will join us in praying for the happy couple and we will be calling on St Catherine in heaven for her prayers. We will be praying for all married couples that in their beautiful vocation, in their love for each other, they will have hearts that are big, hearts that are full of love and compassion for all.’
Rt Rev John Hine, Chair of the Bishops’ Committee for Marriage and Family Life, said: ‘I would like to congratulate the Royal couple on their marriage, and I am sure they will be in the minds and prayers of Catholic church congregations around England and Wales on their great day. It is only right that we should strongly support them in prayer since marriage is such an intimate and personal journey and yet we expect our Royalty to have a life-long high profile in the media. We pray that they may always put their relationship first, and, out of the strength their relationship gives them, may they become wonderful parents.’
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