Bold, Yet Obedient: Saint Catherine of Siena’s Example
When you are who you are meant to be, you will set the world on fire
~St. Catherine of Siena
Every person wants to make a difference. Some people seek worldly fame, others seek a quieter role that makes things work behind the scenes. As women, we may feel that our opportunities have been more limited over the centuries, but this month we celebrate a woman from the 14th century who lived her faith in action and became a Doctor of the Church.
Who is St. Catherine?
St, Catherine of Siena lived from 1347-1380 and was named a Doctor of the Church in 1970, one of the first two women to receive that title along with St. Teresa of Avila. One of her most published quotes is the one listed above about becoming who we are meant to be. I embraced this quote several decades ago, and over those decades its meaning has changed for me. What began as a tagline for something that I wanted to convey has become a reminder that who we believe we are and what God knows us to be are not necessarily the same.
I have always pictured St. Catherine jetting around Europe, giving bold and urgent suggestions to Popes and world leaders. This was inspirational for me! Her bold behavior seemed out of place as a 14th century Dominican nun, but her deep belief in the Church gave her courage to speak truth to power and trust in Jesus to walk with her. She was also known for her mystical experiences, particularly her mystical marriage to Jesus. This powerful and passionate relationship, along with her experiences with the Stigmata, are chronicled in her many writings most notably in The Dialogue.
Her beautiful relationship with Jesus combined with her bold and direct approach to her circumstances have greatly impacted my faith journey. I have always been drawn to Catholic mystics and the interior life of prayer while simultaneously having a desire for leadership.. Learning that I can be brave and stand up for what I know to be right comes firstly from a deep and profound personal relationship with Jesus.
A Powerful Legacy
I find St. Catherine’s story to be particularly pertinent considering the current issues in the Church. St. Catherine actively worked to restore unity in the Church, encouraging and eventually persuading Pope Gregory the XI to return to Rome from Avignon. She tirelessly worked on the reform of the Church, beginning with Pope Urban V. Through her writing and her travel, she sought unity and reform and was respected and influential with the popes of her day. As the Church today finds herself facing great assaults on many fronts, we are wise to remember how St. Catherine worked. She disagreed with the direction of the Church leadership, but she always prayed for them and recognized their authority.
Recognition of the authority of the Pope is part of our Catholic identity. “One of the hallmarks of St. Catherine of Siena’s life was her intense loyalty to the pope and papacy, always praying for the pope, but also challenging him” (Kosloski 2025). However, as much as she held the pope in high regard as the Vicar of Christ, she was also candidly and uncompromisingly critical of the people who occupied that position. She essentially told Pope Gregory XI to man up!
“Be a man. I tell you that you have nothing to fear,” she wrote.“Do not be a timid child. Be a man and take as sweet what is bitter. Act manly, for God is on your side. Do this without fear; and even if you must face hardships and tribulations, do not be afraid. Be comforted by Christ, our sweet Jesus. For amidst the thorns the rose blossoms, and amidst many persecutions the reform of the Church springs forth.”
As we navigate the challenges of our time that threaten disunity, we can remember that Jesus said that no matter what happens, His Church will survive. “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) We can and must pray for Pope Leo XIV because he is the Vicar of Christ. We can and must learn our history including the centuries old teachings of the popes that have come before. To defend our faith, we must have knowledge of the Truth so as to not be deceived, as Jesus says in Matthew 24:4 , “See that no one deceives you.”
A Personal Story of Intercession
In 2018, I had the privilege of visiting Siena. As my husband and I sat in the village cafe and watched a downpour, I was disappointed to learn that the Cathedral was on the other side of town. We would need to walk through the storm to visit St. Catherine’s church, so we prayed and asked for a break in the rain. In gratitude, we walked quickly through a misty reprieve and enjoyed time in the beautiful Cathedral. Minutes after returning to our car, the downpour restarted. Thank you St. Catherine for that small intercession that allowed us a chance to visit you there!
As we move ahead in these challenging times, St. Catherine, pray for us!
Laryn Weaver is a Catholic writer and speaker whose current focus is a ministry of availability and prayer. Her greatest joys are her marriage, her adult children, and her six grandbabies! Find out more about Laryn at larynweaver@gmail.com