Meditation in Eastertide ~ Monday, Week 5 '24: Catherine of Siena

April 29, 2024 ~ Monday Week 5

To show the love that we have for Him,we ought to serve and love

every rational creature and extend our charity to good and bad 

-- as much to one who does us ill service and criticizes us 

as to one who serves us. For, His charity extends 

over [the] just men and sinners. 

~ St. Catherine of Siena*

Our Risen Lord Christ, 

     We need Your help, more than ever, to live into Catherine's description of Your Great Commandment. When we feel maligned, insulted, or emotionally wounded by others, keep us conscious of the lives we touch and the similar impact we may have on them whether intended or not. Remind us to apologize when we have injured, and to hold back anger, un-judge, and respond with kindness in all circumstances. Guide our minds to love and forgive with You in our hearts. It is always the right place and the right time to remember the right teachings You give to us all.  amen.

*Catherine [1347-1380], the 23rd of 24 children, began having visions of Jesus at age 6. She had such visions often in which Jesus spoke to her and although she attempted to live a “more worldly life” for several years as requested by her parents, she lived almost a hermit life in her family home until she reached an age to live in a monastic community. She was a Third Order member of the Dominicans ~ a lay person, not a vowed member of the community but an adherent to its principles and rules. She was the first woman to wear the black and white Dominican habit. Catherine was a Scholastic Philosopher and Theologian and although never learning to read or right, she was no shrinking violet. Her dictated writings and thoughts to Bishops were so critically important in male dominated times, she convinced Pope Gregory VI to move the papacy back to Rome from Avignon in an extended time of conflict within the Church itself. She was named a Doctor of the Church (one who has shown significant importance in theology and doctrine) by Pope Paul VI in 1970 along with Teresa of Avila, the first two women so named to one of the Roman Church's highest honors.

  Only 33 at her death, Catherine's profound spiritual writings and tremendous political influence were highly exceptional for her times and she remains greatly respected today.

 

Of the 35 Doctors of the [Roman Catholic] Church, the other 2 women are St. Therese of Lisieux (also known as The Litte Flower), and St. Hildegard of Bingen.

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