Catherine de Bologne

1413-1463 15th century Feast day: March 9

The spiritual struggle waged in distrust of self and trust in God.

Who was Catherine de Bologne?

Raised at the court of Ferrara, she left its honors for the life of the Poor Clares and became abbess in Bologna. A painter and copyist, she illuminated her own books and left a small treatise, the Seven Spiritual Weapons, the fruit of her inner struggles. In it she teaches never to rely on one's own strength alone, but to lean on the life of Jesus and on Scripture.

In their own words

Believe firmly that, alone, we will never be able to do anything truly good.

The Seven Spiritual Weapons

May the peace of Christ, sweet love, be always in your hearts, dearest mothers and sisters, and in the hearts of all Christian people.

The Seven Spiritual Weapons, conclusion