St Catherine of Siena

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Traditional "Lamb’s wool" for St Catherine’s day

Roast apples on strings before a fire till the hot pulp falls into a bowl of beer, wine, cider, spices and sugar beneath. Drink the result.

Catherine Benincasa was born into a large, wealthy merchant family in Siena, Tuscany, Italy on the day of the Feast of the Annunciation (25th March) in 1347.

At the age of 6 she had a vision in which Jesus Christ appeared to her and blessed her. From that moment she was determined to follow a religious life and despite her parents' protests, became a Dominican tertiary.

A wise and learned woman, Catherine became an advisor to both Pope Gregory X and Pope Urban VI, undertaking many tasks and missions for them.

Catherine died of a mysterious and painful illness on 29th April 1380, at just 33 years of age. That date has become her feast day.

St Catherine is particularly commemorated in the Roman Catholic Church, but is also recognised across the Christian church to varying degrees.