St. Catherine of Siena is one of only three female Doctors of the Catholic Church. She is also an uncommon example of a saint and Doctor who served the Church as a layperson. She lived for thirty-three years, and in the course of her short life she composed many prayers and nearly 400 letters that still exist today. Her most notable contribution to the Church, a treatise called The Dialogue of Divine Providence, was dictated by Catherine while in a state of ecstasy over the course of a year. She reveals in detail the relationship between God and a soul, as represented by Catherine herself, with Jesus as the bridge.
Catherine was an energetic, upbeat, intelligent child, and she was only six years old when she had her first mystical experience. On a walk home, she saw a vision of Christ seated in glory, along with Apostles Peter, Paul, and John. Following this experience, she resolved to dedicate her life to God.
Catherine’s parents had other intentions for her life. They wanted her to marry, and in response Catherine cut off her hair to make herself unattractive. With her father’s eventual support, she joined the tertiary order of the Dominicans, a group of laity who participate in the works of the order but do not take religious vows. Catherine continued to live at home and committed herself to a life of solitude, intense prayer, and extreme fasting, eating as little food as possible.
At 19, she had a second mystical experience. Both Jesus and his mother Mary appeared to her, and through this encounter she entered into a spiritual marriage with Christ.
Even though she had committed to a life of solitude, through prayer she felt a call from God to shift towards public service. In her work with the Dominican order, she began to care for lepers and cancer patients, and those suffering from the plague. Catherine was generous and prolific in sharing her intimate knowledge of Christ through her letters to fellow Dominicans and associates, and these letters increased her following in Siena. She was wholly committed to her faith, and challenged others to examine the state of their souls. Catherine also visited men sentenced to death in prison in an effort to help them make peace with God. She accompanied one prisoner to the scaffold, and he called out “Jesus and Catherine!” at his death.
In February, 1375, while visiting St. Christina’s church in Pisa, Catherine received the wounds of the stigmata. They were only visible to her during her life, but could be seen after her death.
Living during a contentious time in Italy’s history, Catherine was often called on to settle disputes. In the political sphere, the Papacy had fallen under the influence of the French crown as seven popes, in succession, resided in Avignon, France, rather than Rome. Catherine was a vocal advocate for unity in the Church. During the summer of 1376, she traveled to Avignon as ambassador of the Republic of Florence to make peace with the Papal States. She was unsuccessful and disowned by the Florentine leaders who used her in their strategy to advance their own political agenda. Catherine responded with a defiant letter. The pope returned to Rome in September of that year, in debatable response to Catherine’s efforts.
Catherine lived her commitment to God in a broad spectrum. Years in solitude transitioned into serving the poor, imprisoned, and plague-stricken, and, as a lay woman, appealing to leaders for peace and unity in government and the Church with uncommon success.
Reflection:
- St. Catherine served the poor and sick, and she used persuasion and her peacemaking skills in politics to work for unity in the Church. Do you ever doubt or let self-imposed limits influence what God might otherwise be calling you to do?
- Examining the circumstances in your life, are you fully open to the movements of God’s plan for you?
By Annie Syrowski
Faith Formation Commission Member
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