The Feast of St Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church.

"Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children." (Matthew 11: 25).

Thursday April 29th 2020, 4th Week in the Easter Season is the feast of a giant of the faith: St Catherine of Siena (1347 - 1380). Italian Dominican Tertiary. Virgin and Doctor of the Church.

Catherine died at the age of 33 and accomplished for the Kingdom of God what most of us could never accomplish even if we live to be 190 years. 

She brought about the renewal of the Church in a period of moral laxity. She was instrumental in reuniting the Church during the great Western Schism. She authored a spiritual classic, THE DIALOGUE. Catherine is the first woman to be named Doctor of the Church. She is the patron saint of plagues and Italy. Co-Patron saint of Europe with St Benedict.

We skip the Gospel of today and use the Gospel of the Memorial of St Catherine of Siena to draw the fullest inspiration from the special Mass to honor St Catherine:

"Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children." (Matthew 11: 25).

11 Quotes to nourish our faith from St Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church:

1. "What heart is so hard and stubborn that it would not melt contemplating the affectionate love divine goodness bears for it? Love, then, love!"

2. “Love follows knowledge.”

3. “The human heart is drawn by love.”

4. "Adam’s foolish children may well be ashamed. For is there any greater sight than to see God stooped down to humanity—as if humanity were in control of God rather than God having control over humanity? For humanity is nothing of itself; what we have, we have from God by grace, not because he owes it to us."

5. “God is more willing to pardon than we have been to sin.”.

6. “What father ever gave up his son to death for the sake of his slave!”.

7. “God was made man and man was made God.”.

8. "This is why the saints say that God’s servants are the ones who are free sovereigns; they have won the victory. There are many who have been victorious over a city or a fortress, but if they have failed to conquer themselves and their enemies—the world, the flesh, and the devil—one could say they have nothing at all…."

9. “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” ...

10. “Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear.” ...

11. “All the way to heaven is heaven, because Jesus said, "I am the way.” ...

Let us finally note that St Catherine of Siena had no formal education, no PhD, no Doctorate. 

"Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children." (Matthew 11: 25).

Daily Bible Verse @ Seekfirst.blogspot.com