Monday, April 29, 2024
Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
We are a joyful community of disciples proclaiming the Good News and inviting all people to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
“Jesus answered and said to him, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.”
(John 14:23-24)
Dwelling Within
Today is the Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church. She is the perfect living example of today’s Gospel. She loved Jesus and allowed God to dwell in her during her whole life. Catherine was born in Siena, Italy, on March 25, 1347. Her family had a strong faith that produced 25 children. At the age of five, Catherine had a Mystical vision of Christ, and said He blessed her, and left her in ecstasy. She became a Dominican Sister when she was 18.
Years later, she traveled Italy to teach the faith to others. She developed a large group of followers, worked to bring peace to their country, and was successful in bringing the Pope back to Rome from Avignon, France. She bore the stigmata and is said to have received Holy Communion from Christ Himself. She is said to have experienced a “Mystical Marriage” with Jesus Christ. Many miracles took place after her death, and she died at the age of thirty-three on April 29, 1380. She was declared a Doctor of the Church and is the Patron Saint of Europe.
St. Catherine of Siena can be our guide on our Christian pilgrimage with her undivided effort and commitment to invite the Lord to take flesh in her own life. She is teaching us that holiness is a goal to be pursued over the course of our whole lives.
Are you giving God the dwelling place He wants in your heart and life?
Saint Catherine of Siena, we thank you for your incredible and holy witness. We humbly ask that you intercede for us who feel so far and distracted from our ultimate goal. May we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit to continue our pilgrimage! We ask this in the name of our Risen Lord. Amen.
“Jesús le respondió: 'Si alguien me ama, guardará mis palabras, y mi Padre lo amará. Entonces vendremos a él para poner nuestra morada en él. El que no me ama no guarda mis palabras; pero el mensaje que escuchan no es mío, sino del Padre que me ha enviado.”
(Juan 14, 23-24)
Su Morada en Mi
Hoy es la Memoria de Santa Catalina de Siena, Virgen y Doctora de la Iglesia. Ella es el perfecto ejemplo vivo del Evangelio de hoy. Amaba a Jesús y permitió que Dios habitara en ella durante toda su vida. Catalina nació en Siena, Italia, el 25 de marzo de 1347. Su familia tenía una fe fuerte que dió 25 hijos. A la edad de cinco años, Catalina tuvo una visión mística de Cristo y dijo que Él la bendijo y la dejó en éxtasis. Se convirtió en Hermana Dominica cuando tenía 18 años.
Años más tarde viajó por Italia para enseñar la fe a otros. Desarrolló un gran grupo de seguidores, trabajó para traer la paz a su país y logró traer al Papa de regreso a Roma desde Aviñón, Francia. Ella llevó los estigmas y se dice que recibió la Santa Comunión del mismo Cristo. Se dice que experimentó un “matrimonio místico” con Jesucristo. Muchos milagros ocurrieron después de su muerte, y murió a la edad de treinta y tres años, el 29 de abril de 1380. Fue declarada Doctora de la Iglesia y Patrona de Europa.
Santa Catalina de Siena puede ser nuestra guía en nuestra peregrinación cristiana con su indiviso esfuerzo y compromiso de invitar al Señor a encarnarse en su propia vida. Ella nos está enseñando que la santidad es una meta que debemos perseguir a lo largo de toda nuestra vida.
¿Le estás dando a Dios la morada que Él quiere en tu corazón y en tu vida?
Santa Catalina de Siena, te damos gracias por tu increíble y santo testimonio. Humildemente te pedimos que intercedas por nosotros que nos sentimos tan lejos y distraídos de nuestro objetivo final. ¡Que recibamos los dones del Espíritu Santo para continuar nuestra peregrinación! Te lo pedimos en nombre de nuestro Señor Resucitado. Amén.
Reflection by:
José Orlando (Landy) Colón was born and raised in Puerto Rico. His journey to faith started as a teenager after accepting Christ during a Juan XXIII weekend retreat. He has been a resident of the Tampa Bay area since November 2000. Landy is fully bilingual in English and Spanish. He is serving as Liturgy Committee chair and Eucharistic Minister at Resurrection Catholic Church in Riverview. He is also blessed to serve as chair of the Diocesan Hispanic Commission under the Intercultural Ministries of our diocese. His wife Judi and Landy completed the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute program (dosp.org/lpmi) in June of 2023. They have two married daughters, and are the caregivers of Judi’s mother. Landy is a firm believer of second chances, that compassion and mercy are vital to evangelize, and that we should trust God under all circumstances.