| The Patron Saint of art and artists is Catherine of Bologna. The picture
above is St. Catherine, after she was exhumed. She appeared to another sister
in a dream and asked to be arranged so she is seated in a chair as opposed to
lying down.
This is the prayer that the classes will be saying before each art class.
Prayer to Saint Catherine of Bologna
Dear saintly Sister of the Poor Clares, so rich in love for Jesus and Mary,
you were endowed with great talents by God and you left us most inspiring
writings and paintings of wondrous beauty. You were chosen as Abbess
in the monastery of Poor Clares at Bologna. You did all for God's
greater glory and in this you are a model for all. Make artists learn
lessons from you and use their talents to the full.
This is a bit of background on St. Catherine of Bologna
Feastday: March 9
Patron of Artists
1463
Whoever wishes to carry the cross for his sake must take up the proper
weapons for the contest, especially those mentioned here. First, diligence;
second, distrust of self; third, confidence in God; fourth, remembrance of
Passion; fifth, mindfulness of one's own death; sixth, remembrance of God's
glory; seventh, the injunctions of Sacred Scripture following the example of
Jesus Christ in the desert.
-Saint Catherine, from On the Seven Spiritual Weapons
St. Catherine of Bologna, Virgin (Patroness of Artists) Feast - March 9th
Born in 1413, Catherine de Vigri was the daughter of a diplomatic agent of
the Marquis of Ferrara. At the age of eleven, she was appointed maid of honor
to the daughter of the Marquis and shared her training and education. When
the daughter eventually married, she wanted Catherine to remain in her
service, but Catherine left the court and became a Franciscan Tertiary at the
age of fourteen.
Catherine had determined to live a life of perfection, and was admired by her
companions for her holiness. Eventually her Community became part of the Poor
Clares. She soon began to experience visions of Christ and Satan, and wrote
of her experiences, one of which occurred one Christmas. Through her efforts
with Pope Nicholas V, the Poor Clare convent at Ferrara erected an enclosure,
and Catherine was appointed Superioress. The reputation of the Community for
its holiness and austerity became widespread. She then was appointed
Superioress of a new convent in Bologna.
In Lent of 1463, Catherine became seriously ill, and she died on March 9th.
Buried without a coffin, her body was exhumed eighteen days later because of
cures attributed to her and also because of the sweet scent coming from her
grave. Her body was found to be incorrupt and remains so today in the Church
of the Poor Clare convent in Bologna. She was canonized in 1712.
Despite the opportunity to live a noble life at court, St. Catherine eagerly
responded to her call to lead the religious life. Her piety, charity, and
kindness attracted many to follow her along the road to perfection. The
beauty of her life and death encourages us to resolve to live in perfect
charity as a Lenten goal.
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