Why St. Catherine of Siena?

Much as it does today, the Church in the 14th century was struggling.  Marked by scandal and division, it seemed to have lost its focus. Even the successor of St. Peter, Pope Gregory XI, abandoned Rome and taken up residence in the comforts of Avignon, France. While Catherine was disappointed by the weakness of the Pope and the ineffectiveness of the Church, she did not abandon the Bride of Christ nor did she resign herself to the circumstances around her. Almost 700 years later, we can imagine the temptations that must have plagued her: “The institution is too big to change.”  “That’s a problem for others to take care of.” “Just take care of your family; that will be enough.” But she did not give in. Her inspired writing and courageous counsel helped lead the Pope to return to Rome, thus sparking a re-discovery of the beauty of Catholicism. 

Raised in the medieval walled city of Siena in the Tuscan region of Italy, young Catherine was inspired by a great love of the Lord. She dedicated her life to prayer and penance, knowing that it was not so much a matter of what she could accomplish, but what God could accomplish in her. In the midst of isolation, focused prayers, and lengthy fasts, this young woman received the grace to change the world.

Despite being a young lay woman* with little formal education, her hope, integrity, and wisdom prevailed. It could be accurately stated that she was an amateur theologian (from the Latin amatorem for lover or friend). Her works in spiritual theology arose from her love of the subject. Her dedication to the truth (Veritas, the motto of the Dominicans) won the day. In 1970, she was named a Doctor of the Church for the profundity of her spiritual texts. 

St. Catherine’s life was marked by charity in its two great manifestations: Love of God and love of neighbor. She cared for the poor and fed the hungry from her own table.  She nursed plague victims when all else abandoned them. In a mystical vision, she exchanged hearts with our Lord. Such was and is the Love of Jesus that he wishes to share the love of his own Sacred Heart - that Heart of Fire - with each one of us.

On fire with that love, St. Catherine knew that more was possible. She need not accept the status quo. Truth is possible. Beauty is possible. Goodness is possible. And so, we ask St. Catherine’s intercession as we educate a new generation, for this world and for the next.

*In depictions of St. Catherine she is dressed as a nun of the Order of Preachers  (the Dominicans). While she did make the promises of a Tertiary (also know as a Third-order Dominican) she was still a lay person living and working in the world.