Catherine Fieschi was born in Italy in 1447 to parents who were part of the noble class. As a child she was so pious she wanted to become a nun at 13 like her older sister, but she was prevented because of her age. Her parents arranged for her to be married at 16 to a young nobleman who turned out to be an unfaithful womanizer with a violent temper who squandered the couple’s money. She briefly tried finding happiness in material things, but then one day in the confessional she fell into a deep ecstasy and her soul was forever changed. She had deep mystical experiences, reformed her life and her husband, and the two of them, financially ruined, moved into the hospital in Genoa. There they lived the rest of their lives caring for the sick.
CHALLENGE
In addition to her revelation in the confessional, St. Catherine of Genoa was given mystical experiences that led to her deep understanding of Purgatory and the process by which a soul is purged from attachment to this life and prepared for the beatific vision. Today, read her short “Treatise on Purgatory” which explains all that was revealed to her.
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The end of life is a difficult time, and the Catholic Church has a rich history of teachings and traditions to help people have a holy death, as well as grieve and pray for those who have departed from this world. Passing Time is a rich resource on the topics of suffering, death, and Purgatory, compiled from a variety of classical Catholic texts. Buy your copy today.
