Little Talks with God by St Catherine of Siena edited by Henry Carrigan Jr.
Any book about St Catherine of Siena will catch my attention. I hope someday Mel Gibson will make a film about her. Because I believe that many women will see her as a fireball of strength. Talk about feminism in the truest sense of the form. Her femininity was one of her many strengths our Lord used to make her one of our greatest Saints of the Church.
In Carrigan’s best description of St Catherine’s life is “mystical experiences with fervent activism”.
During her later years, she had a several priests write down her thoughts that were later put into books and shared with communities. At a young age, St. Catherine had a burning desire to know more about God and truth. This desire would change into fortitude that became spiritual lessons others to this day still learn from, like myself.
I learned much from this book. I pretty much have each page ear dogged. Self contemplation to the greatest degree. Where to start and where to go in prayer, examination of conscience, courage, and faith in action to name a few.
St. Catherine’s passion for Christ grew even more so when God showed her the needs of the world and the offenses being made against God.
St. Catherine had a selflessness that at times frightened me. She understood the punishment God could give and at the same time his limitless mercy. She would rather suffer for those who had no clue of their sin because she knew it would be redemptive in the suffering so she spoke in prayer always to take that cup for their sake.
“How very pleasing to God is the willing desire to suffer for him.”
Through St Catherine’s writing, my life has learned the beauty in suffering. How I had no clue that there is purpose in suffering. Used to think any physical or mental suffering was a kind of punishment by God. Learning more about suffering through St. Catherine, has taught me the meaning of it by explaining how it is redemptive, unifies us with Christ, offering it to Christ, and understanding His love for us.
Her writing takes you to a realm that no other writer has taken me. I feel like I’m in another place even though I’m most likely sitting on the couch in my home. The power in her words gives me a sense of heaven that truly gives me a connection I’m most grateful I am aware of now.
In his book, he speaks about his rise to a successful career, finding his wife, until he becomes an addict and destroys all around him. His Mom was a hard core alcoholic. Morning, day, night. Even though he saw the reckoning, he could not find himself out of it. Much of the effects of what would cause him to drink, did come from his relationship with his Mom and love not received by either of his parents.
CATHOLIC AND CHOCOLATE 