Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena (25 March 1347 to 29 April 1380). One of only four female Doctors of the Church, Catherine distinguished herself first as a lay woman associated with the Dominican Order and later as a philosopher and a theologian who had great influence on the Church of her day.
Shortly after she joined the Sisters of Penance of Saint Dominic and professed her vows, she received the gifts of the stigmata (wounds in her hands and feet resembling the wounds of Christ) and mystical marriage (the New Testament portrays communion with Jesus as a marriage). Despite her constant pain, she accompanied the Dominican chaplain to Avignon in the role of Ambassador of Florence where she played a role in convincing Pope Gregory XI to leave Avignon and to return to Rome. She subsequently worked tirelessly, writing letters to princes and cardinals in order to promote obedience to Pope Urban VI.
Saint Catherine's diplomacy and her dedication to promoting unity in the Church were no doubt born out of her own zealousness to know and love Jesus. This is the same thirst that brought Nicodemus, a Pharisee who lived in the time of Jesus to come to Jesus under the cover of darkness (cf Jn 3:1) and to begin his own search for truth.
Like these two figures, we too must look to Jesus if we want to discover the path that we must follow today. He is always ready to show us the way, and he is always willing to walk alongside us so that we never have to walk alone.
Have a great day.
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