Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
(Acts 12;24-13:5A; John 12:44-50)
To appreciate Catherine of Siena, we might think of Joan of
Arc. Like the Maid of Orleans, Catherine
was a young woman from whom older men took orders. Both were anomalies revered for their bravery
in worldly affairs: Joan in warfare and Catherine in both Church and civil
politics.
Catherine was raised in a pious family without formal
education but with a fervent spirituality.
As a child, she gave herself to Christ with whom she shared spiritual
intimacy. In her teens she deepened her relationship
with the Lord by living three years in isolation on her family’s property. Then at seventeen or eighteen she burst onto
the world with a mission to Church, state and “family.” Her charisma was so enthralling that a
diverse group of followers traveled with her and called her “Mama.“ She acted as a peace legate among the
city-states of Italy. Most importantly,
she influenced Pope Gregory XI to leave the decades-long papal retreat in
Avignon. And her vast correspondence counseled
hundreds of people from prisoners to kings.
Catherine was eccentric in ways, perhaps most of all in her
love for Christ. As with Catherine, a
vivacious love for Christ can spur to accomplish much good. It may not move us to great achievements, but
it can enable us to live for God.
