Note: For the next several weeks, I’m featuring women with a connection to the Americas.
The Basics: Born May 3, 1632, in France; died May 8, 1668, in Canada; beatified April 24, 1989, by John Paul II; feast day, May 8; woman religious, nurse.
The Story: Catherine of St. Augustine packed a lot of service into her forty-six years. Even as a small 
child, she had a special devotion to Mary and was convinced she had a vocation as a sister. She entered the novitiate of the Hospital Sisters of the Mercy of Jesus when she was fourteen, professed final vows the day after her sixteenth birthday, and a few weeks later was on a boat headed for what is now Quebec. There, she nursed and ministered to the indigenous people and European settlers and held a number of positions in her order.
Life wasn’t always easy. Catherine was besieged by internal doubts and challenges, and considered returning to France despite her love for her new home. Through prayer and counsel, she persevered in her ministry and faith. Catherine is considered to be one of the founders of Catholicism in Canada.
Catherine’s Wisdom: “How happy I am, Father, that you are deriving some small joy and satisfaction now from seeing me thus crucified: be vexed with me as much as you like, I shall always look upon you and love you as my kind and charitable Father.”
What We Can Learn from Catherine: Ignoring our spiritual challenges or despairing and giving up gets us nowhere. Catherine’s example teaches us to embrace the difficulties life throws at us, always confident in the Father’s love.
To Learn More About Catherine: Visit the site for the Catherine of St. Augustine Center in Quebec, where she is entombed, or check out information about the Hotel-Dieu de Quebec, the hospital where Catherine worked that continues to operate today and is now a national historic site of Canada.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my books, Blessed Are You: Finding Inspiration from Our Sisters in Faith or Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
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