Bold and Humble: The Witness of St. Catherine of Siena

Feast Day: April 29

Patroness of nurses, Europe, and those ridiculed for their faith

When you picture a 14th-century Dominican mystic, you probably don’t imagine someone writing to popes, reforming the Church, and fiercely loving Christ through it all. But that’s exactly who St. Catherine of Siena was: a woman who lived with radical humility and holy boldness.

Born in 1347, Catherine was the 25th of 25 children (yes, really). She felt called to a life of prayer and penance from a young age, eventually joining the Third Order Dominican while remaining at home. She lived in near seclusion for years, devoting herself to Christ, until she was drawn into public life- not for attention, but because she couldn’t ignore the needs of the Church.

Her letters (over 300 of them!) and her spiritual classic, The Dialogue, reveal a deep, intimate relationship with God. She often wrote about Christ as the Bridge between heaven and earth, calling the faithful to walk that bridge with love and trust. Her writings earned her the title Doctor of the Church, one of only four women to receive that honor.

What’s remarkable is that St. Catherine never sought power or prestige. She just loved Jesus. That love propelled her into the messy realities of Church politics, helped her counsel princes and popes, and even brought her to Avignon, France,  where she begged the Pope to return to the Vatican. Through it all, she remained rooted in prayer, penance, and the Eucharist.

Catherine is the patron saint of nurses, Europe, and those ridiculed for their faith. And isn’t that fitting? She saw the dignity of every soul, wasn’t afraid to speak truth with love, and lived as if heaven were her only goal.

If you're looking for a Saint to walk with you in seasons of confusion, bold decisions, or spiritual dryness, Catherine’s your girl. She reminds us that holiness isn’t about being loud or quiet, bold or hidden; it’s about saying yes to Jesus, whatever that looks like in your life.

And if you'd like a tangible reminder of her wisdom and witness, I’ve created a necklace in her honor — you can see it here.