Catherine of Siena

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I write this blog on the feast of Catherine of Siena, one of our greatest Dominican saints.  Although I am no scholar of Catherine, I know enough about her life to know that she was truly in love with Jesus and because of that relationship she reached out to those Jesus loved – especially the poor and downtrodden.  But Catherine did not just serve the poor.  She also challenged the leaders of the Church to “shape up,” to be better examples of true disciples of Jesus by not living lives of corruption but lives of humble service.

Catherine’s spiritual life was nourished by a deep, mystical prayer.  Most of us, at least I speak for myself, will not experience that type of prayer life.  But if we are to be truly unselfish, dedicated servants of God, we do need to pray every day – at least to touch base with the God that gives us life and people to love and serve.  The Easter season is a great time to strengthen our prayer life.  In the words of St. Catherine:

“You, God, are a fire that takes away the coldness, illumines the mind with its light, and causes me to know your truth – and I know that you are beauty and wisdom itself.”

How does the fire of God’s love illuminate your mind? 

Georgia Acker, OP                                                                                                                                         Bowling Green, KY

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