FOR TODAY’S HOLIDAY the liturgy of the Church puts this prayer on our lips: „ God, you inflamed warm love in St. Catherine when she meditated on the Lord’s passion and served your Church; at her intercession, indulge, that your people, to whom you have given participation in the mysteries of Christ, may be eternally pleased when Christ appears in his glory“. These words describe the life of the saint we celebrate: a warm love for Jesus Christ, which led her to dedicate herself to serving others and the Church.
Catherine Benincasa was born in 1347 in Siena in a large family. From childhood, she cultivated a deep piety that led her to dedicate her life to the Lord, despite her family’s misunderstanding. At the age of eighteen, she was accepted among the Dominican tertiary girls in the city. She continued to live at home with her parents and led an intense life of prayer amid the natural rush of a family with many children. At the age of 21, Catherine had an experience that marked her life forever: she realized that God was calling her to devote herself wholeheartedly to acts of love and work for the conversion of sinners. St. Jose Maria was interested that this saint „was on the streets and created an inner cell in her soul, so wherever she was, she did not leave her cell. This decision marked the beginning of several years during which the young woman moved around the city of Siena to care for the sick, capturing the hearts of many people with her love for God and her neighbors.
„ A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. They don’t even light the lamp and put it under the meter, but on the candlestick so that it shines for everyone who is in the dome“ (Mt 5, 14-15). Catherine was enlightened by Jesus’ loving face and understood that his light could not remain enclosed in the walls of her house. Thus, she caused a revolution around her, which consisted of prayer and acts of service.
True wisdom is to be in harmony with God’s heart …
IN LETTERS, St. In Catherine’s well-known work Dialogue, the harmony between teaching and mystical experience is astounding, especially considering that the saint did not have the opportunity to acquire a wide cultural formation. From a young age, however, she attended the sermons of the Dominican Fathers in her city: there she listened attentively to interpretations of the Scriptures, examples from the lives of saints, and catechesis on faith. Over time, she also cultivated her inner life under the leadership of a local spiritual leader.
On St. Catherine, the words that Jesus uttered one day full of joy were fulfilled: „ I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to the little ones“ (Mt 11, 25). „Even true wisdom comes from the heart, it’s not just understanding thoughts (…). If you know many things, but your heart is closed, you are not wise. Jesus says that the mysteries of his Father have been revealed to the little ones, those who confidently open themselves to his word of salvation feel that they need him and expect everything from him; they have an open and trusting heart towards the Lord. Saint Catherine accepted the lights that the Lord gave her, and thus achieved a deep knowledge of God’s mystery. „O, priceless, sweetest love,“ wrote. „Who won’t such great love ignite? Which heart can resist without fainting? You, abyss of love, as if you are mad for your creatures, as if you cannot live without them, even though you are a God who does not need us. Your greatness does not grow by our good deeds, for it cannot change; no harm arises from our evil, for you are the highest and eternal Good. Who will move you to such mercy?
Driven by this intense contemplation, the saint from Siena shared God’s love with the people around her. She started with those who gathered to listen to her and be encouraged in the spiritual life. However, this spillover of her inner life did not end there: she wrote letters over the years to many people, including many public figures of the time. More than once, her letters were accompanied by calls for the addressees to live according to the Gospel and seek God’s will. She drew energy from her intimate relationship with Jesus to speak clearly and gently about God.
Sharing your faith with others …
AMONG MANY CHRISTIANS, those who were inspired by the life of St. Catherine can also be found in St. Josemaria. From his youth, he had a special respect for her; for example, he called the notes he made about the events of his inner life“. „ I fell in love with the power of St. Catherine,“ says the founder of Opus Dei, “who tells the truths to the most important people, with burning passion and transparent clarity“. Therefore, in 1964, the founder of Opus Dei decided to appoint her as intercessor of the apostolate, which he held in special esteem, for informing a wide field of public opinion with the love of Christ.
Jesus is the truth that will enlighten every person and save them from darkness. Offering this light to others – striving to be ignited first in our own lives – is one of the works of mercy. Bringing your faith to others means making revelation visible so that the Holy Spirit can work in people through your testimony, as a witness, or through service. Service is a way of life (…). If I say I’m a Christian and live as one, it attracts (…). Faith must be passed on: not convinced, but offering treasure“.
Saint Catherine spent a lot of time caring for the sick in her city before urging someone to come closer to the faith. The same love that led her to devote herself to the most needy later moved her to write letters inviting them to be faithful children of the Church. The credibility of her message was based on a life from which love for God and neighbor radiated. Let us ask Saint Catherine and our Heavenly Mother to intercede with God to give us love that feeds on prayer, manifests itself in acts of love, and proclaims the truth that leads to life. „ The most profound teaching we are called to impart, and the surest certainty that melts doubt, is God’s love by which we were loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (compare 1 Jn 4, 10).
Hello. And Bye.