An orphan from Majorca mistreated by her uncle, Catherine Thomas was a pious shepherdess before entering the Augustinians of Palma at the age of sixteen. Recognized for her angelic patience in the face of trials and her great humility, she refused the office of abbess. She died in the odor of sanctity in 1574 and was beatified by Pius VI.
Guided reading
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BLESSED CATHERINE THOMAS,
AUGUSTINIAN NUN (1574).
Youth and Trials
An orphan in Majorca, Catherine endures the mistreatment of her uncle while manifesting an early piety during her work as a shepherdess.
This Blessed was b Cette Bienheureuse Augustinian nun from Majorca renowned for her patience and humility. orn in Val demuz, a Valdemuz Birthplace of Catherine Thomas in Majorca. small village on t he island of M l'île Majorque Primary location of his ministry as a doorkeeper. ajorca, on April 13, 1533. Orphaned early, she was raised by a maternal uncle who behaved in the most odious manner toward her, overwhelming her with work and mistreatment. Tasked with guarding the flocks, she found the time and means to indulge her attraction to piety: her hands raised, under an olive tree, a rustic altar where she placed flowers and her prayers. Son, her uncle wanted to see for himself how she was performing her duties as a shepherdess: he found her on her knees under the olive tree and so absorbed in contemplation that the young girl did not notice his presence. This brutal man struck her cruelly with a rod he held in his hand and overwhelmed her with reproaches: without being troubled, Catherine led him toward the flocks and convinced him with his own eyes that they were in the best condition. From that moment on, her devotion was turned into ridicule, she was treated as a hypocrite, and they even went so far as to forbid her from attending church and the sacraments. Authorized by their master, the servants allowed themselves to censure her and even mistreat her: but, always calm, always of an angelic patience, she redoubled her submission toward some and her thoughtfulness toward others.
Entry into religious life in Palma
At sixteen, she joined the Canonesses Regular of Saint Augustine, where she distinguished herself by her patience in the face of infirmities and reproaches.
Finally, at sixteen, she left her uncle's house and entered the Canonesses Regular of Saint Augustine in Palma. Soon, these nuns realized the treasure they possessed and showed Catherine all the affection an d esteem Catherine Augustinian nun from Majorca renowned for her patience and humility. she inspired in them. However, as if Our Lord did not want his servant to forget her past sorrows, He permitted a sister to lose her temper one day to the point of telling her that she would always be a burden to the community: indeed, infirmities had come to visit Catherine early on. Far from showing the slightest distress at such a reproach, the holy nun thanked her companion and promised her that she would make efforts to be more useful in the future.
Renown and humility
Despite her reputation for holiness, she humbly refused the position of superior with the support of the bishop.
Her reputation for holiness spread far and wide, and one often saw very respectable people coming to consult her. Her companions, filled with admiration for her virtues, elected her superior of their house; but Catherine made such urgent requests to the diocesan bishop that he gave orders to elect another abbess.
Death and beatification
She died in 1574 at the age of forty-one and was beatified by Pope Pius VI in 1792.
Although not of an advanced age, this privileged soul sighed for a better world. God granted her wishes and called her to Him on April 5, 1574. She was forty-one years old.
Several miracles having proven her holiness, Pius V Pie VI Pope cited as having approved the cult of Julie in 1821. I inscribed her among the Blessed in 1792.
Various modern hagiographies.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Valdemuz on April 13, 1533
- Orphan raised by an abusive uncle
- Herding flocks and life of prayer under an olive tree
- Entered the Canonesses Regular of Saint Augustine in Palma at age 16
- Refusal of the office of abbess out of humility
- Beatification by Pius VI in 1792
Miracles
- Several non-detailed miracles that proved her holiness for beatification