Saint Catherine of Siena

 

 

Saint Catherine of Siena, a revered mystic and Doctor of the Church, passed away on April 29, 1380, in Rome. Following her death, her remains were divided among several locations, each becoming a site of veneration for the faithful. Here's a detailed timeline of events concerning her incorrupt body and relics:​

1380 – Death and Initial Burial

• Saint Catherine died in Rome at the age of 33. She was initially buried in the cemetery of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome, where her body remains today beneath the main altar. ​

1381 – Translation of the Head to Siena

• A year after her death, with the permission of Pope Urban VI, Catherine's head was detached and transported to her hometown of Siena. It was initially kept privately but was later given public honors. On May 5, 1385, a grand procession moved the relic to the Basilica of San Domenico in Siena, where it remains enshrined in the Chapel of Saint Catherine.

1385 – Enshrinement of the Head in Siena

• On May 5, 1385, the citizens of Siena held a grand procession to enshrine Catherine's head in the Basilica of San Domenico. This event marked the beginning of public veneration of her relic in Siena. ​

15th Century – Distribution of Additional Relics

• A piece of Saint Catherine’s shoulder blade is preserved in an urn to the left of the high altar of the Oratory of the Crucifix in Siena. Additionally, her foot is venerated in Venice, Italy. ​

1630s – Relocation of the Room of Her Death

• The room where Saint Catherine died was originally located at Via Santa Chiara, 14, in Rome. In the 1630s, this room was reconstructed and relocated to the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, adjacent to her tomb. ​Saints in Rome

1931 – Examination of the Relic of the Head

• In 1931, Professor Giulio Gori, along with other experts, conducted an examination of the relic of Saint Catherine's head. The findings were documented, and a wax representation of the saint was created and is now displayed near the relic. ​

Present Day – Sites of Veneration

• The Basilica of San Domenico in Siena houses Saint Catherine's head and a finger, both displayed for veneration. The Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome enshrines her body beneath the main altar. These sites continue to attract pilgrims and devotees from around the world. ​
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