Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)

Catherine of Siena lived during a time of conflict between dozens of Italian city-states as well as a time of leadership problems in the Church. She mediated between warring cities, ministered to sick people, and was a mystic, someone unusually close to God. She was later named a Doctor of the Catholic Church. She once said, “As we understand, so we love, and when we love, we find ourselves united with the transformed in love.” (Taken from "Good News Day by Day: Bible Reflections for Teens.")