The Mystic Marriage of St Catherine

Date created: Unknown

The picture shown here is a photocopy of a black and white photograph of the original painting, provided by Rob Cartwright. The painting was sold in England in 1980, and may now be in South America.

St. Catherine (c.1347-1380) was born in Siena, Italy. She reportedly experienced the first of her many visions at the age of 7. Rebelling against her family who wished her to marry, Catherine decided instead to dedicate her life to Christ, cutting off her hair and taking a vow of virginity. After joining the secular Third Order of St. Dominic in around 1365, she secluded herself for three years in her room, devoting her time to frequently ecstatic prayer, fasting and other mortifications. Toward the end of this period, she experienced a vision of her mystical marriage with Christ, who ordered her to engage in active works of charity.

Catherine was canonized in 1461 and is, along with St Francis of Assisi, Italy's principal patron saint. Her feast is celebrated on April 30th.,