Today is the Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena.

Catherine was born into a big family, the 24^th of 25 children.

From the start, she was different.

Today she might be given pills to make her less different.

In childhood, she reported seeing visions.

At 7, she announced that she would never marry, but give her life to God.

At 15, she took to living in silence and solitude in her room, coming out only to attend Mass.

At 18, after a mystical “spiritual espousal” to Christ, she rejoined the world, busying herself helping the sick and poor.

Catherine ate almost nothing except the Bread received at Holy Communion.

Described by all as “radiantly happy”, she was accompanied everywhere by a band of “disciples”.

She visited and gave advice to the Pope, guiding him in political and other practical decisions.

She died, aged 33, on 29 April 1380.

* * *

Unable, herself, to read or write, Catherine’s sayings — many uttered during periods of altered consciousness — were recorded by her disciples or “secretaries”.

These writings are considered amongst the finest and most profound in the Italian language.

Most famous is her “Dialogue”, a sort of conversation, questions and answers,  between herself and God.

Saint Catherine’s message was one of humility — “self-knowledge” being the key to living for God.

* * *

“God of truth, God of love, permit me to enter into the cell of self-knowledge.

Of myself I am nothing.

All the being and goodness in me comes solely from you . . . .”

* * *

“How sweet and glorious is the virtue of obedience, which contains all the other virtues . . .

He who espouses it knows no evil . . . .

Obedience navigates without fatigue, it is straightforward and without deceit.

Give me this pearl trampled underfoot by the world,

which humbles itself to submit to creatures for love of you.”

* * *

“Until now I have not known your truth and have not loved it.

Why did I not know you?

Because I did not see you with the glorious light of the holy Faith.

Because the cloud of self-love darkened the eye of my intellect.

O eternal Trinity, dissipate the darkness with your light.

Penetrate me with a ray of grace

So that in that light I may give you thanks.”