The Apostle of the Blood of Christ: St. Catherine of Siena

Bishop Robert Barron・2 minutes read

Katherine of Sienna, an uneducated woman, became a spiritual leader and counselor despite lacking formal education, known for mystical encounters and spiritual teachings emphasizing love, charity, and union with God. Her influence on the church, her intimate connection to Christ and Mary, and her emphasis on selflessness, prayer, and embracing suffering highlight her remarkable spiritual journey.

Insights

  • Katherine of Sienna, despite her lack of formal education, rose to prominence as a spiritual leader and counselor to influential figures, showcasing the transformative power of devotion and prayer in her life.
  • Katherine's teachings emphasize the intimate connection between earthly and heavenly realms, advocating for love, humility, and charity as essential components of the spiritual journey, while cautioning against attachment to mystical experiences and stressing the importance of aligning one's will with that of God.

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  • Who was Katherine of Sienna?

    An uneducated woman who became a counselor to kings, queens, and popes.

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Summary

00:00

Katherine of Sienna: Uneducated Mystic to Influential Counselor

  • Katarina Benincasa, known as Katherine of Sienna, was an uneducated woman from an ordinary family who became a counselor to kings, queens, and popes.
  • Despite lacking formal theological education, she was recognized as a doctor of the church and a master of the spiritual life.
  • Katherine had mystical connections to the higher world, conversing with Christ, Mary, and other saints.
  • She understood the interaction between the earthly and higher worlds, embodying the biblical truth of "may your kingdom come on Earth as it is in heaven."
  • Katherine's power and influence were significant, with priests and bishops considering her their spiritual teacher.
  • Born in Sienna in 1347, Katherine had a vision of Christ in the sky at a young age, leading her to take a vow of perpetual virginity.
  • She dedicated herself to prayer, fasting, and joined a group of women devoted to prayer and service.
  • Katherine attracted a devoted following due to the intensity of her prayer and devotion to the poor.
  • She had mystical encounters with Jesus, Mary, and other heavenly figures, including being taken as a bride by Jesus.
  • Katherine's public ministry began in 1375, where she played a crucial role in the return of the papacy to Rome, showcasing her extraordinary reputation and persuasive power.

21:46

Katherine of Sienna: Doctor of Mystical Love

  • Katherine of Sienna is recognized as a doctor of the church due to her lucid and deep mystical and spiritual writings.
  • Katherine, despite being poorly educated and unable to write for most of her life, dictated her works to others, displaying a depth in her teachings.
  • Katherine's view of God involves an intimate involvement in the world out of love, not hatred, with a focus on the Incarnation and salvation through Jesus.
  • The church, according to Katherine, is the mystical body of Jesus, extending through space and time, serving as the vehicle for the saving power of Jesus' blood.
  • Sin is seen as a perversion and disorder, requiring salvation and healing from a supernatural source, not just effort or practice.
  • Katherine uses the image of Jesus as a bridge, with three levels or stairs representing different stages in the spiritual life, from beginners to those in real union with God.
  • Katherine distinguishes five types of tears in the spiritual life, ranging from bitter tears of condemnation to sweet tears of total surrender to the Lord.
  • Love, as described by Katherine, is willing the good of the other and involves breaking out of egotism, transforming one's life and actions.
  • Grace is essential in the spiritual life, preceding any action, but can be integrated through self-awareness, humility, obedience, and above all, charity or love.
  • Charity, according to Katherine, involves loving God first and then all things for the sake of God, refraining from judgment, praying for all, and seeking no reward for one's love, even if it involves suffering.

43:09

Embracing Divine Love Through Sacrifice and Surrender

  • Inner prayer, an awareness of Divine love, should lead to specific prayers and be reciprocated by them, forming a supportive relationship.
  • Real closeness to God necessitates embracing the cross, a common trait among great Saints who deeply love the Eucharist and the cross.
  • To truly love God, one must relinquish self-love, shedding preoccupations with personal desires and plans, a process often entailing suffering.
  • Mystical experiences, like those of Catherine of Sienna, should be approached with caution to avoid attachment, emphasizing dependence on God's will.
  • Catherine's mystical journey emphasizes a dynamic union with God, growing through love into a oneness with Him, driven by a relentless pursuit of Divine will over selfish desires.
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