Saint for the Month
of April Catherine of Seina frequently saw visions of Jesus and experienced mystical ecstasy, she was however one of the most down - to - earth women. Her visions were not always beautiful. At times she was made miserable by images of foul demons and gross temptations. But at other times sweet visions of her Saviour entranced her. Catherine loved working amongst the sick. Unlike most other volunteers, she would care for those with most repellent diseases, such as leprosy, which was then virtually incurable. she gathered around her many friends, and when a fearful plague broke out in Siena she led them boldly amongst those who had contracted it -- even digging graves and burying the dead herself. Catherine participated in the wider events of the church. At a time when the papacy was weakened by contested elections, popes and antipopes denouncing each other. Catherine supported the true Pope Urban V1 against his opponents; but he was a graceless man, and her letters to him reproved him for this fault, while remaining entirely faithful to him. 'To sin is human, but to persist in sin is devilish.' St Catherine of Siena. Richard .F. Sibley April 2003 |