Saint Catherine was born on September 8, 1413, in Bologna, Italy, to an aristocratic family. Her father, a diplomat to the Marquis of Ferrara, sent her to court when she was 11 to be a companion to the Marquis’ daughter, Princess Margarita. The young girls had an excellent education in music, literature, painting, and dancing. Catherine particularly enjoyed miniature painting, Latin, and playing the viola.
 
When Margarita became engaged, she wanted Catherine to remain her companion, but Catherine felt called to the religious life. She first became a Franciscan Tertiary at 14 and at 17, she joined a group of religious women in Ferrara. A few years later, dissension in the community led Catherine and others to join the Poor Clares.
 
In spite of her aristocratic background and education, Catherine willingly served in the more humble roles at the convent, including laundress, baker, and caretaker to the animals. Late in her life, she obediently left the Ferrara monastery to form a new convent in Bologna, where she served as abbess despite her desire for a less prominent role.
 
She continued in her love of playing the viola (even on her deathbed), painting (on the convent walls), illuminating her breviary, and writing spiritual guides and poetry. Throughout her life, Catherine experienced visions of Christ and had the baby Jesus placed in her arms by the Blessed Mother. She was also tormented by visions of the devil, but she was able to overcome these after many years of prayer.
 
At age 49, she became gravely ill and died a few months later. As was the custom of the Poor Clares, she was buried without a coffin. However she was exhumed after visitors began to notice a sweet smell coming from her grave in the weeks after her death. Her body was found to be flexible and uncorrupted.
 
This print is part of the "Happy Saint" collection by Anna Morelli.
 
The image is professionally printed, hand-signed by the artist, and comes enclosed in a plastic sleeve to ensure protection.