It’s a common misconception that St. Catherine of Siena was a Dominican nun. In fact, she was a Dominican tertiary – a laywoman who followed the Rule of St. Dominic. At age 21, she had a vision in which she experienced a “mystical marriage to Christ” and was instructed Read more…
A thirteenth-century Eucharistic miracle and a visionary nun have given us the feast of Corpus Christi and four cherished hymns written by St. Thomas Aquinas.
“Springtime of the Church” is a new Simply Holy podcast series that explores the unique and often little-known ways in which lay persons serve the Church as members of Third Orders, Oblates, Secular Institutes, Prelatures, Associations of the Christian Faithful, Ecclesial Movements, New Communities, Apostolates, and more. Listen to the premiere episode.
The Apostles and women – including Mary – gathered and prayed in the Upper Room for nine days from Ascension to Pentecost. That’s not unlike the time we’re in right now, as we prepare to move from the “new normal” of COVID19 lockdowns, shutdowns, and fear into the “newer normal” of going out into the world!
This is much like the time of the Apostles in the Upper Room from Ascension to Pentecost. It’s an inbetween time as we transition from COVID19 lockdowns, shutdowns, and stay home orders into a time of venturing out into the world to resume life after. Jesus promised us that all things work for good for those who love him. This pandemic, too, will work for good.
A person who is dying doesn’t waste words on frivolous things. They don’t have the time and often not the strength, either. There are many things Jacinta could have said at that moment, but she chose what was most critical for others to know. The apparitions had made Jacinta wise beyond her years and she understood that her parting words to Lucia must bear fruit long after her death.
As we move toward the reopening of the country, we need to be taking a long, hard look at ourselves and how COVID-19 has changed us.