Spiritual Corner -- St. Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena was born on March 25, 1347 in Siena, Italy. At the age of seven, she received divine inspiration and made a vow of chastity to God (1354). In 1363, she joined the Sisters of Penitence of St. Dominic in Siena (Third Order of St. Dominic Laity) and began a strict life of prayer, fasting, and penance.

She devoted herself to the contemplation of “Supreme and Sweet Truth” and to “knowing God in herself and herself in God”. She led a strict and austere life at home until 1370, when she received a vision from heaven, an experience she referred to as her “mystical marriage to Christ” and was immediately moved to begin the mission of preaching , serving the poor and the sick. From then on, the grace of the Holy Spirit was bestowed miraculously and abundantly on her, which she always followed with obedience and openness. In her "Inner Cloister of the Soul", she combined the sublime contemplation of heavenly truths with active apostolic work.

Later, St. Catherine was drawn into the politics of her time, she was instrumental in working to keep city states loyal to the Pope. With graceful letters and ardent words, she urged Pope Gregory XI to return and restore the Papacy to Rome (1376). She was also credited with helping to start a crusade to the Holy Land. Her efforts in bringing reformation and unity to the division between the church and the Missionary Alliance were indelible. She strives to guide all good men and women from all walks of life to the realm of virtue and peace.

She was always burning with love for Christ and longing to resemble the crucified Christ. On April 1, 1375, she received the glowing stigmata (the five holy wounds of Jesus), which were not bleeding. Though St. Catherine was not highly educated, she received her knowledge and revelations from God. In 1378, she completed her writing of the “Dialogue” which became one of the most influential spiritual guidance in the church literatures.

She died in Rome on April 29, 1380, and was buried in the Dominican Basilica of Santa Maria Spore Minerva. She was revered as “Mother” by her disciples at her own time and even to this day by the Dominican family.

She was canonized by Pope Pius II in June 1461 and declared Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI in 1970. Pope John Paul II also named her one of the three patron saints of Europe.

Yours,
Sr. Magdalena Yang