St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) is one of four women Doctors of the Catholic Church and one of the most influential lay women in Church history. Born Caterina di Giacomo di Benincasa in Siena, Italy, the twenty-fourth of twenty-five children in a wool-dyer's family, she had her first mystical vision at six years old, refused marriage at twelve, took a private vow of virginity at sixteen, and joined the Mantellate (Third Order Dominican lay women) at eighteen. For three years she lived as a near-recluse in her own home, in deep silence and prayer. At twenty-one, in a famous mystical exchange recorded in her writings, Christ told her that her contemplative formation was now complete and that He was sending her into the world. From then until her death at thirty-three, she became one of the most extraordinary public Catholics of the fourteenth century: spiritual director to popes, peace-maker between warring Italian city-states, author of The Dialogue (one of the great works of Catholic mystical theology), and the principal lay voice arguing that the Pope return from Avignon to Rome. Her letters — over 400 survive — are addressed to popes, cardinals, kings, queens, prostitutes, condemned prisoners, and ordinary friends. She received the stigmata in 1375. She died at thirty-three in 1380. She was canonized by Pope Pius II in 1461. Pope Paul VI declared her Doctor of the Church in 1970, alongside St. Teresa of Ávila (the first two women named to the title). Pope St. John Paul II declared her Co-Patroness of Europe in 1999. The novena to St. Catherine is appropriate for: women's lay vocations (Catherine's life answers the question of whether a lay woman can be a great theologian and Church reformer with an unambiguous yes), Church reform and renewal in difficult ecclesiastical moments, vocational discernment for those drawn to mystical-prayer life within secular life, intercessory prayer for popes and bishops, and any moment requiring radical truth-telling within the Church.
10 min
Duración
9 días
Compromiso
Intermedia
Nivel
St. Catherine of Siena
Santo patrono
Pray once daily for nine consecutive days. The novena is traditionally prayed in the nine days leading up to the Feast of St. Catherine of Siena (April 29). The structure: (1) Sign of the Cross; (2) Brief reading from one of Catherine's letters or from The Dialogue — both are available in many translations; the Image Doubleday edition of the letters and the Paulist Press critical edition of The Dialogue are common starting points; (3) The novena prayer; (4) Three Hail Marys; (5) Name the intention. The Dominican Order maintains particular devotion to Catherine — the Dominican formation tradition recommends an annual reading of selections from The Dialogue. The novena is especially appropriate for: women discerning whether their lay state is compatible with serious theological vocation (Catherine's life answers yes), Catholic women in academic or ministerial leadership, those drawn to mystical prayer in the midst of an active life, intercessory prayer for the Pope or for difficult ecclesiastical situations, families navigating peace-making after long division (Catherine's diplomatic work between Italian city-states is one of the patron use-cases for family reconciliation), and as the spiritual companion for any major moment requiring courage to speak truth to power within the Church or one's own life. Pope John Paul II's 1999 declaration of Catherine as Co-Patroness of Europe also makes her a fitting patron for European Catholic identity in the contemporary moment.
O God, who set St. Catherine of Siena on fire with divine love in her contemplation of the Lord's Passion and in her service of your Church, grant, through her intercession, that your people, participating in the mystery of Christ, may ever exult in the revelation of His glory. Through your servant Catherine — virgin, mystic, peacemaker, doctor — obtain for me the grace I now ask (mention your intention). Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Coordina oración sostenida por alguien que amas. Los voluntarios cubren horarios de 30 minutos durante días o semanas; la familia recibe un ramillete espiritual al final.
Invita a un grupo pequeño a rezar esto cada día contigo. Todos reciben el mismo texto, el mismo ritmo, la misma intención.