Posts tagged “Italy

Saint Catherine of Siena

Posted on May 15, 2020

Song: Euphrosyne https://halosarehistory.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/kathy-greenholdt-if-03-euphrosyne.mp3 Full disclosure: I call Catherine of Siena my nemesis. This might seem unfriendly, but it’s true. I have a friend who once described Catherine as one of her favorite saints. To find out why, I read a biography, then traveled to Rome and Siena, Italy. I hoped for some songwriting inspiration based on Catherine’s “essence.” But, that didn’t happen right away. Even as I learned how Catherine accomplished unbelievable things during a very short life, her personality seemed distant and inaccessible. She appeared somewhat selfish, with an overly-high opinion of herself. I had trouble liking her. Or maybe, across the centuries, I was simply jealous of this formidable woman. Who Was Catherine? On March 25, 1347, Caterina di Giacomo di Benincasa…

Saint Clare of Assisi

Posted on May 15, 2020

Music Video: If Assisi is an Italian hilltop village of medieval homes and churches. Birds soar overhead, and scenic countryside views are plentiful. It’s gorgeous. Every year, tourists of every (or no) spiritual outlook descend on the small town to visit the beautiful basilica dedicated to Francis, one of the world’s most popular Catholic saints, who promoted peace and justice while founding the Franciscan religious order. In 2019, I traveled to Assisi and planned to see the basilica. But, I also hoped to learn more about another saint — Clare — who was Francis’ first female follower. Who Was Clare? In 1194 Chiara (Clare) Offreduccio was born into one of Assisi’s noble clans. In medieval society, aristocratic families like Clare’s reigned over the feudal…