Once in Siena, we passed by the stunning Cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose glorious façade is colored with different varieties of local marble.
The three mosaics depict (left) Our Lady’s entry into life as a Temple Virgin, (center) her Assumption & Coronation, (right) the Nativity of Jesus.
We celebrated Mass at the Gothic style Dominican church commemorating St. Catherine.
Then on to visit the Shrine of the House of St. Catherine. We had venerated the tomb of St. Catherine in Rome at Santa Maria sopra Minerva, where her body lies, but the reliquary containing her head and a portion of her thumb one must travel to Siena to venerate–which we did. Fiat!
At the Basilica of St. Francis in Siena, pilgrims were able to venerate the Eucharistic Miracle of Siena, one of those documented by Blessed Carlo Acutis, in which 223 consecrated Hosts that had been stolen in the year 1730 and subsequently recovered remain intact to this day, 276 years later.
So much to ponder and so little time! We placed these and so many other memories in our baskets to feast on later.
Children of the Divine Will of Luisa Piccarreta 