St. Catherine of Bologna

St. Catherine of Bologna (1413–1463) was an Italian nun and artist born as Catherine de' Vigri in Bologna, Italy. She was a member of an aristocratic family and the daughter of a diplomat of the Marquis of Ferrara. Catherine received a wonderful education in reading, writing, singing, and drawing while being raised at the court of the Duke of Ferrara.

In 1426, at the age of 13, she entered the Corpus Domini convent in Ferrara and became a Franciscan Tertiary. In 1432, Catherine and other young women from Ferrara founded a monastery of the Poor Clares, an order founded by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.

Catherine continued to paint and write beautiful spiritual guides and poetry. She wrote the "Treatise on the 7 Spiritual Weapons Necessary for Spiritual Warfare." Her painting of St. Ursula remains on display in a gallery in Venice. Her incorrupt body can be seen in the chapel of the Poor Clares in Bologna.

Liturgical Celebration

The feast of St. Catherine of Bologna is celebrated on March 9, the date of her death. It is a time to pray for artists, for spiritual perfection, and to be inspired by her example of humility and dedication to sacred art.

Traditions and Customs

Parishes and communities promote special celebrations for artists, sacred art exhibitions, and prayers for spiritual perfection in her memory, highlighting the importance of art as an expression of faith.