Raymond of Capua
This book is also known as 'The Life of St. Catherine of Sienna' "Catherine was educated as a child that belonged to God. As soon as she began to walk alone, she was loved by all who saw her, and her conversation was so discreet, that itwas with difficulty her mother could keep her at home; her neighbours and relatives would bring her to their houses in order to liste"n to her childlike reasonings, and enjoy her infantine sweetness. They found so much consolation in her company. that they did not call her Catharine, but Euphrosyne, which signifies joy, satisfaction. Perhaps they were ignorant of this meaning, and did not know what I learned later, that Catharine had resolved to imitate St. Enphrosyne; and it may be, also, that in her childish pharses she uttered some words resembling Euphrosyne, and those who repeated her words gave her this name. Her youth realized the promises of her early infancy: her words possessed a mysterious power which inclined the soul to God. As soon as one conversed with her, sadness was dispelled from the heart, vexations and troubles were forgotten, and a. ravishing peace took possession of the soul, so extraordinary indeed that one could ouly imagine it to resemble that enjoyed by the Apostle: on Mount Thabor, when one exclaimed- "It is good for us to be here."" The life of Saint Catherine of Sienna is an inspiration for us all. "One day while she was praying in her little chamber he appeared to her, and announced to her the kind of new miracle that he was going to operate in her. Learn my sweetest daughter, that henceforth thy life will be filled with prodigies so amazing that ignorant and sensual men will refuse to believe them. Many even of those persons who are attached to thee, will doubt them and fear an illusion caused by excess of love to me. I will diffuse in thy soul such an abundance of grace, that thy body itself will experience its effects and will live no longer except in an extraordinary manner thy heart shall become so ardent for the salvation of thy neighbour, that thou shalt forget thy sex and its reserve; thou shalt no more avoid as formerly the conversation of men, but thou shalt expose thyself to every species of fatigue in order to save their souls; thy conduct will scandalize many who will contradict thee and accuse thee publicly." Jesus Himself was and is a sign of contradiction, and His saints often are contradicted. Saint Catherine was warned of this eventuality and yet faithfully followed her Crucified Saviour as should we. "Catharine had much to suffer in her reputation, and in this especially appeared her admirable patience. What more precious than the reputation of a maiden, and what more delicate than the honour of a consecrated Virgin! It was in consideration of this that God would have his Mother, the Queen of Virgins, protected by no husband in the eyes of the world and on the Cross, he confided the virginity of his mother to the virginity of St. John." This book was written by Saint Catherine of Sienna's confessor, Blessed Raymond of Capua.
Biography,Christianity,Catholic,Religion,History,Nonfiction,Spirituality
The Life of St. Catharine of Sienna