Page "Catherine of Siena" Paragraph 18

The people of Siena wished to have St. Catherine's body.

A story is told of a miracle whereby they were partially successful: Knowing that they could not smuggle her whole body out of Rome, they decided to take only her head which they placed in a bag.

When stopped by the Roman guards, they prayed to St Catherine to help them, confident that she would rather have her body ( or at least part thereof ) in Siena.

When they opened the bag to show the guards, it appeared no longer to hold her head but to be full of rose petals.

Once they got back to Siena they reopened the bag and her head was visible once more.

Due to this story, St Catherine is often seen holding a rose.

The incorruptible head and thumb were entombed in the Basilica of San Domenico, where they remain.