Mystic of Freedom
The truth will set you free from falsehood. It will dissolve all shadows, giving you light and knowledge in God’s mercy. In this truth, you will be freed.
St. Catherine of Siena
Saint Catherine of Siena declares, over and over, throughout her prodigious collection writings, that being made in the image of God we are endowed with the freedom of our will; and that there is enormous dignity in this freedom.
Freedom is what makes us human, but this freedom is a Divine gift. “God makes all his servants kings and queens, free lords and ladies, for he has freed them from slavery to the devil and from blind servitude to the perverse tyranny of this world.” (1)
St. Catherine, a young woman of the 14th century, was a relentless critic of corruption in the Catholic Church; she repeatedly, directly, courageously, and publicly denounced the powerful hierarchy. Famously, she challenged the Pope to return to Rome and he relented.
She saw the world of power and politics as enslavement, as tyrannical to the soul; and she knew Christ was the Savior who invites us into freedom.
The stunning subversiveness of the cross is mercy and forgiveness. “Freedom came into the world with Christ who taught that all men and women are made in the likeness of God, and so are equal under one common father.” (2)
I am the gate. I am the way and the truth and the life. (3) (4)
“We are such value to God that he came to live among us … and to guide us home. He will go to any length to seek us, even to being lifted high upon the cross to draw us back to himself. We can only respond by loving God for his love.” (5)
The message of the crucifix seems unbelievable. It is the inversion of all the world’s ways, its deceptions, and enslavement. Faith begins to undo the bindings of disbelief. “There is such immense mercy in this that no human heart or language can possibly describe or even imagine it.” (6)
St. Catherine lived in a tumultuous time: of war, corruption, and plague. She was intimately aware of suffering everywhere. Yet, she was able to exclaim: “Live this little bit of time in joy.” (7)
She is distinguished as one of the most intriguing and subversive thinkers in Church history, renowned for her mystical experiences, and her unfailing encouragement to others, through her friendships, her preaching, and her many letters.
Perhaps her most unique contribution was her passionate plea regarding human freedom, in a time when no one spoke of such ideas. She believed, and told anyone who would listen, that it is God alone who can release us from the bondage of the world’s terrible darkness. Including the darkness within us.
Saint Catherine taught herself to read and to write and her letters pour forth her vision and passion, for Christ and his Church.
“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
St. Catherine of Siena
References:
(1) Saint Catherine of Siena: Mystic of Fire, Preacher of Freedom; by Father Paul Murray, OP; Word on Fire Institute, 2020.
(2) Cornelio Fabro, quoted in Saint Catherine of Siena: Mystic of Fire, Preacher of Freedom.
(3) John 10:9
(4) John 14:6
(5) Saint Catherine of Siena: Mystic of Fire, Preacher of Freedom; by Father Paul Murray, OP; Word on Fire Institute, 2020.
(6) ibid.
(7) ibid.
Images:
St. Catherine of Siena; Wikimedia; Public Domain; additional art and collage by Juliette Pierce Kent.
Saint Catherine of Siena, by Baldassare Franceschini, 17th century; Google Art Project; Public Domain; additional art and collage by Juliette Pierce Kent.
St. Catherine of Siena; Wikimedia; Public Domain; additional artwork and collage by Juliette Pierce Kent.