The full name of this church is Chiesa dell’Arciconfraternita di Santa Caterina da Siena. This is the traditional parish for pilgrims from Siena.
This is not the church in Rome that has the tomb of Saint Catherine, that’s Santa Maria sopra Minerva.
Santa Caterina is located on the lovely Via Guilia. It’s a church I’ve passed probably hundreds of times without going in. That happens a lot in Rome. So many churches, so little time. I’m glad I finally went inside.
Flags from each of the contrade (neighborhoods) of Siena are flown inside.
The hidden secret of this church is that below the main altar, they have over 60 relics. Some pretty big ones too, the Blessed Virgin, Saint Cecilia, Saint John Paul II, Saint Philip Neri, Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Theresa (Lisieux), Saint Nicholas, Saint Ignatius, Saint Joseph of Cupertino, and of course, Saint Catherine and Saint Domenic. Full list of saints below.
While it’s true you can find the tombs of some of these saints within a ten minute walk from here, how cool is it that you can pray among all these amazing saints in one tiny, quiet church.
It is perfectly acceptable to approach the altar displaying these relics – outside of Mass times, of course.
Opening Hours
Daily from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Sunday from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Sunday and Feast Day Mass Times
10:30 AM
Daily
5:30 PM Rosary
6:00 PM Vespers