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Today's Gospel + short theological explanation
St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin & Doctor of the Church (Patron saint of Europe) (1347-1380)
Fr. Antoni CAROL i Hostench (Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain)Today, the church celebrates with joy and gratitude the festivity of St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380). Catalina, knowing quite well her Beloved, had a vivid awareness of the greatness of man because God himself is in love with each one of us: «What made you establish man in so great a dignity? Certainly, the incalculable love by which you have looked on your creature in yourself! You are taken with love for her; for by love indeed you created her, by love you gave have given her a being capable of fasting your eternal Good».
Finally, the gratitude of the Church to Catherine for her conciliatory task. At that time, the Church was undergoing a sad period of divisions, both internal and external. The most unfortunate thing was the "Avignon exile". From 1305, a total of seven Popes resided in Avignon. The prayers and the efforts of St. Catherine —also from other personalities, as St. Brigitte— made possible that in 1367 Pope Urban V could return to the Eternal City.
—Thanks may be eternally given to these holy women who have done more than we will ever know for the Church.