Saint Catherine of Bologna was born in Bologna, Italy, September 8, 1413.
             Catherine was born into nobility. When she was still a very young child, she was sent
             off to live in Ferrara with the Marquis of Este. At age 11,Catherine of Bologna
             became lady-in-waiting to Margherita d'Este at the ducal court of Nicholas III d'Este
             at Ferrara, where she was given a good education. After Margherita's wedding,
             Catherine at age 13 joined a sisterhood of virgins in Ferrara, who lived according to
             the rule of the Franciscan tertiaries. As a result of her efforts, this group formed itself
             At the age of 17, Catherine joined the Franciscan Order, an order which in
             the later years of her membership followed the strict rules instituted by St. Clare. In
             1432 Catherine took solemn vows and soon became mistress of novices. In 1456,
             she traveled to Bologna to oversee the building of the Poor Clares' Corpus Christi
             Convent and became abbess of the new foundation. She was a strong and an
             effective leader. Catherine's incredible passion and solitude for the souls of sinners
             From an early age Catherine recieved many visions, some of which from
             their nature and effects she thought to be diabolical temptations, while others were
             comforting and for her good. One Christmas she had a vision of the Blessed Virgin
             with the infant Jesus in her arms, which is reproduced often in art since. Catherine
             recorded her soul's struggles and mystical experiences in a Latin work entitled
             Manifestations. She also wrote Latin hymns, and composed and painted. She also
             had a talent for calligraphy and miniature painting. Catherine was renowned within
             the order as a talented artist and gifted writer.
             Saint Catherine of Bologna became seriously ill in the Lent of 1463 and died
             in Bologna Italy on March 9, 1463. She was canonized in 1712 by Pope Bene
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