Finding My Path: Lessons from St. Catherine of Siena
“Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear” (St. Catherine of Siena).
Not “Less Than” at Work
I've often felt that I was “less than” when it comes to my peers in the workplace. I’ve had the privilege to work alongside some fantastic men and women—successful, intelligent leaders who are moving up the ladder. At the start of my career, the people I worked with and for were older, so it made sense to me that they had different titles and had done more than I had up to that point. But then, the gap in years started to close, and people around me seemed so much more accomplished. Was I doing something wrong? It seemed like I needed to improve my ability and drive.
I carried this “less than” persona with me for several years. Then, I realized there is no one path; there is no one way to succeed. I realized that what defines success in others was different from my definition. I am grateful for those men and women—for their “yes” and their example. And, I’m thankful that I found my own path.
Learning the Faith
Likewise, in the spiritual world, I used to compare myself to the people around me. It seemed everyone else “got it” except me. As a convert, many things that others knew intuitively after years in the Church I did not know—prayers, saints, traditions. It’s taken years to catch up. I am happy to say that I think I’m finally “on par” with many of my cradle Catholic friends.
When I started reading about the saints, I was overwhelmed by them. These women and men had lives of such faith, heartache, suffering, and sacrifice. I didn’t feel that I had anything at all in common with them.
Relating to St. Catherine
I’ve had an affinity for St. Catherine of Siena for many years. I confess that I was first drawn to her name—Catherine with a C, just like me. I didn’t know what “Doctor of the Church” meant. I wasn’t sure what a mystic was.
I still have much to learn about her, but here are a few things I know and can relate to:
She Stood up for What She Knew Was Right
St. Catherine fought for the reunification of the Church and was not afraid to stand in front of a room full of men and explain that what they were doing was wrong in the eyes of God.
Lesson: Be brave. God will give you the courage.
She Wrote—a Lot
… over 400 letters, several treatises, prayers, and more. St. Catherine spilled out her thoughts, mystical visions, pleadings, and thanksgivings. I cringe to think of all we would have missed if she hadn’t written it down.
Lesson: Keep writing.
Her Eyes Were on Heaven From an Early Age
More than anything, St. Catherine loved God, and she loved others. She spent her life learning about God, praying for transformation into what he wanted her to be. She was singularly focused on Heaven.
Lesson: Keep your eyes on God and Heaven as the one goal.
I am not “less than” at work or in my spiritual life. What I’ve learned in my career and my faith journey is that God does indeed have a plan for each of us—and it’s completely unique to the gifts he’s given us. Some paths are humble, and some will be lit up for all to see; either way, your path is yours and yours alone.
Someone remarked to me recently that I was “very” Catholic. I responded that I would not be Catholic enough until I was a saint.
I have no delusions that I will ever be a Doctor of the Church, but I am so thankful I have saints like Catherine to learn from. Although my path differs from the path of this good and holy woman of God, I know God’s plan for me has purpose and meaning. And I pray for the courage to live it out as he intends me to.
Lord, help me to be like the saints, these good and holy people who’ve gone before us—who show us how to love you and surrender our life—these men and women who are in Heaven with you. Thank you, God, for these saints who intercede for us, who watch us try and fail—or, worse, not try at all. Help us to learn from them. To follow them. To keep our eyes on what is meaningful for our lives: not a title or worldly goods but how we can be one step closer to you.
Cathi Kennedy is passionate about building relationships. At the University of Notre Dame, she advises graduate students for the Mendoza College of Business. Her background is in marketing and communications, and she recently received her MBA. Impassioned writer, voracious reader, aspiring knitter. Married to a musician and mom to two amazing sons. Cathi is a convert to Catholicism and seeks to learn something new about her faith every day. Connect with Cathi: LinkedIn • Instagram • Facebook • Blog