Hello and welcome to Saint Stories for Kids, a weekly podcast full of fun stories and

facts about the holy men and women that have come before us. I'm your host

Shontal Baros. St. Stories for Kids is brought to by Shining Light dolls.

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Today we'll be telling the story of St. Catherine of Siena, whose feast is celebrated on April 29th.

Catherine was born on March 21st, 1347 in Siena, Italy.

Her parents had 25 children total. Catherine was number 23 and had a twin

sister. She had her first vision of Jesus around age 5 and by age 7 had decided to give her whole life to God. Her family

didn't agree at first and wanted her to be married, but ultimately Catherine won

them over and was allowed to become a Dominican tertiary, which means she was in the third

order of Dominicans, still a layperson but allowed to wear the habit and participate in some

of the works of the Order.

Catherine was noticed for her holy life and soon had a group of

followers. She wrote many letters giving advice to many prominent people and even

played a part in returning the Pope to Rome.

She was an activist, mystic, and author,

and is one of the few women doctors of the church.

St. Catherine of Siena is the patron saint of illnesses,

miscarriages, nurses, and against fire.

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