Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us!

Readings: 1st: Acts 8:1-8; Ps: 66; Gos John 6:30-35

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, cancilleriadfh@gmail.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com. 

Today, Wednesday of the third week of Easter, the church celebrates the obligatory memory of a great saint, Catherine, a native of Siena, Italy. Catherine was born on March 25, 1347.

At the age of fifteen, Catherine entered the third order of Saint Dominic, beginning a rigorous life of penance. She strived to live like the crucified Christ.

Working for the unity of the Church was her strength and motivation during her 33years of life. Catherine wrote the “dialog on Divine Providence”.

She was canonized on 29 April 1461 by Pius II. In 1939, along with St. Francis of Assisi, she was declared the patron saint of Italy by Pius XII. Paul VI proclaimed her a doctor of the Church on 4 October 1970, and on 1 October 1999, St. John Paul II declared her the patron of Europe.

In today’s gospel, John continues the discourse on the bread of life. The people are enthusiastic about the bread from heaven. They want to see, and eat it in order to live forever.

However, they thought it was a physical bread. So, Jesus said to them: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Today, Christ added a new, and very important article to this discourse. That is, the Resurrection of those who see, accept and believe in the bread of life. As Christians, we believe and hope in this Resurrection.

So, let us ask Saint Catherine of Siena, who enjoys the fullness of this bread of life, to continue to intercede for us, so that we may always come to Christ, the bread of life with faith and hope. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!