Sunday, April 21, 2013

4/29/2013 – Monday - Catherine of Siena – Psalm 115 -


         Catherine of Siena lived in the 14th century in Italy.  She was a lay woman who worked in the Dominican order, but had very little formal education.  However, Catherine was considered to be one of the most brilliant theological minds of her day.  There was a lot of problems plaguing the papacy in her day.  Catherine used her skills of persuasion to convince Pope Gregory XI to move back to Rome from his exile in Avignon, France.  Catherine is held is very high esteem in our Church today.  Catherine, along with Teresa of Avila, were named as the first women Doctors of the Church in 1970 by Pope Paul VI.  She was named as one of the patrons of Italy along with Francis of Assisi in 1940, and was named as one of Europe’s patron saints by Pope John Paul II in 1999.  This quote of hers reflects her courage and tenacity in living out her faith: “Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear.”
         Our psalm today proclaims: Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.”  Catherine of Siena reflected this belief in the way she lived her life, giving glory and honor to God in the way she courageously brought the Gospel to the world and they way she challenged others to live out the values of the Gospel.  May we all live out our faith with this same honesty and courage as a reflection of the reality of the risen Lord in our world.  

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