Memorial of Saint
Catherine of Siena, virgin
(Acts 12:24-35a; John 12:44-50)
In English few religious women attain the status of “Mother.” Blessed Teresa of Calcutta is recognized with
that distinction and also St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. But in general religious women are called “Sister.” In Spanish-speaking countries, however, the
terms “Mother” and “Sister” seem to be interchangeable. Today the Church honors St. Catherine of
Siena, a religious who was surrounded by a large family of men and women who called her “Mother” even though she was
younger than most of them.
Catherine lived in the fourteenth century. At the tender age of seven she is said to
have dedicated herself to Christ. As an
adolescent, she was allowed to spend her days in prayer and fasting which
turned out to be preparation for a very active apostolate. When she was twenty-one, she attracted a following
of women and men, even priests, whom she directed as a kind of religious
superior. Since childhood, Catherine was
associated with Dominican priests who defended her as she became influential from
the criticism of citizens. Soon she
entered one of the great issues of the time, the displacement of the pope to
Avignon. Catherine was instrumental in
bringing him back to Rome although later the situation actually became worse. Nevertheless,
she continued her struggle for Church unity under the bishop of Rome.
Catherine’s spirituality was preeminently
Christocentric. She thought of herself
as married to Christ and spent her life building up his body, the Church. Such dedication could not help spill over to
work for a better society. Today
Catherine is recognized as the co-patron of Italy along with St. Francis of
Assisi and one of the co-patrons of Europe.
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