Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena (†1380), virgin and Doctor of the Church. Patroness of Italy. At fifteen, she became a Dominican tertiary and led a life of isolation, prayer, and fasting until 20. Our Lord appeared to her and ordered her to leave her seclusion, since he wished to make her an apostle. She then devoted herself to serving the poor and sick, converted sinners, and cast out demons. She played an important role in resolving serious problems in the Church, such as the pope's return from Avignon to Rome and the reform of the Roman Curia.