The Great Schism of the West led Catherine of Siena to go to Rome with the
pope. She sent numerous letters to princes and cardinals to promote
obedience to Pope Urban VI and defend what she calls the "vessel of the
Church." She died on 29 April 1380, exhausted by her penances. Urban VI
celebrated her funeral and burial in the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra
Minerva in Rome.
The devotion around Catherine of Siena developed rapidly after her death.
She was canonized in 1461, declared patron saint of Rome in 1866, and
of Italy in 1939. First woman declared "doctor of the Church" on 4 October
1970 by Pope Paul VI with Teresa of Ávila, she was proclaimed patron saint
of Europe in 1999 by Pope John Paul II. She is also the patron saint of
journalists, media, and all communication professions, because of her
epistolary work for the papacy.
Catherine of Siena is one of the outstanding figures of medieval Catholicism,
by the strong influence she has had in the history of the papacy. She is
behind the return of the Pope from Avignon to Rome, and then carried out
many missions entrusted by the pope, something quite rare for a woman in
the Middle Ages.
Her writings—and especially The Dialogue, her major work which includes a
set of treatises she would have dictated during ecstasies—mark theological
thought. She is one of the most influential writers in Catholicism, to the point
that she is one of only four women to be declared a doctor of the Church.
This recognition by the Church consecrates the importance of her writings.
Since 18 June 1939, Catherine of Siena has been one of the two patron
saints of Italy, together with Francis of Assisi. On 4 October 1970, she was
proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI, and on 1 October 1999,
Pope John Paul II named her as one of the six patron saints of Europe.
What’s On @ St Oswald’s
1000 Sung Eucharist (Sunday School – in conjunction with service)
(First Sunday – Vestry after service)
Sunday
Sunday
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Homeopathy Drop-in Workshop
None in April due to Holidays
•
Monday 1800-2000 Kaleidoscope: Children’s Additional Needs Support Grp
Tuesday Yoga Class 7:30 – 8:30 £3.00 Last on 26 March until resuming on 16 April
Wednesday 0930 1130 1730 & 1930 Slimming World C Ellis 0773 353 8448
(3 rd of each month) 10:30 Eucharist
Saturday 1000-1100 H Warnock Private Dance Classes
1930-2200 Sequence Dance Contact: H Warnock (01355-265233)
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