Saint Catherine of Genoa
A noblewoman of Genoa who cared for the sick at the Pammatone hospital
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Mystic, Layperson
- Life
- 1447 – 1510
- Era
- 16th century
- Feast
- 15 September
- Countries
- Italy
Life story
Catherine was born in 1447 in Genoa into the Fieschi family, one of the city's distinguished houses. In 1463, aged about sixteen, she was married to Giuliano Adorno, a merchant from another powerful family, in a match with political purposes. Giuliano had a difficult temper and spent recklessly, so the early years of the marriage were unhappy, and the couple had no children.
In 1473 she went through a conversion, and from then on lived a life of prayer, frequent communion and help for the poor. Around 1477 she began serving at Pammatone, Genoa's large hospital, and from 1490 she held an administrative role alongside nursing the patients. In 1493, when plague struck the city, she devoted herself to the sick. Giuliano later changed his way of life as well, living chastely by shared agreement, joining the Franciscan Third Order and working at the hospital until his death in 1497.
She died on 15 September 1510 in Genoa. The writings that preserve her thought, such as the Spiritual Dialogue and the Treatise on Purgatory, were edited by her disciples Cattaneo Marabotto and Ettore Vernazza, and it is unclear which parts she wrote herself. Pope Clement XII canonised her in 1737, and her feast is 15 September.
After her death her body was kept in Genoa and the cult grew steadily, leading to her beatification in 1675. Her story, in which a woman of high rank lived among the sick and poor, became a point of reference for later hospital reformers in Italy and her relics remain in the city.
Works and witness
- Married Giuliano Adorno in 1463 in a politically arranged match
- Went through a conversion in 1473
- Served and administered at the Pammatone hospital in Genoa from 1490
- Nursed the sick during the plague of 1493
- Canonised by Pope Clement XII in 1737
Saints from the same country
References
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913) – St. Catherine of Genoa
- Vita e dottrina di Santa Caterina da Genova
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.