Today the Church gives us the feast in honor of St. Catherine of Sienna. She was such a profound theologian and writer that she was declared a "doctor" of the Church. St. Catherine was a third order Dominican. She wrote over 300 letters that have survived to this day.
Among her many great contributions to the Church was her staunch belief in and defense of the Papacy. The chaos we have experienced in recent weeks, months and years is not new. Down through history, the Papacy has been under attack and has faced many challenges. During the 1370's the Papacy was under attack from influences within and without. At one point, the Pope moved from Rome, and established his office in Avignon, France. Other men, believing the Pope to have vacated the Chair of Peter claimed to be Pope. It was chaos. In 1376, St. Catherine traveled to Avignon herself and gained an audience with Pope Gregory XI. So impressed by her visit, and her courage and wisdom, the Pope indeed returned to Rome, centralized his authority and all was well.
We could use a current day St. Catherine of Sienna; one who could defend the Pope and influence the Church. Perhaps that person already exists and may have already begin his or her work. Without ever giving any false indication of condoning the heinous acts of sexual child abuse, we all can defend the Pope from the ravenous attacks of the Church's enemy and the media.
So today, we celebrate the feast of St. Catherine of Sienna, Doctor of the Church and we pray for her intercession as we ask for protection for the Church and the Holy Father.
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