September 4th - Blessed Catherine Mattei, Visionary

[Weedy]

September 4th - Blessed Catherine Mattei, Visionary
(also known as Catherine of Racconigi)

Born in the diocese of Cuneo in the Piedmont, Italy, 1487; died 1574;
cultus confirmed in 1810. Catherine was born into poverty and hunger
following the devastation of war. Her father, an unemployed locksmith,
became despondent and quarrelsome as so many do when they lose their
livelihood. Her mother supported the family by weaving coarse cloth at
home. Catherine and her brother grew up in an atmosphere that was
absent the peace of Christ.

Surprisingly, God reached the heart of little Catherine when she was
only five. It was then that her mystical experiences began. Our Lady
appeared to her while the tiny child was praying alone in her tiny
room and told Catherine that Jesus wished to make her His spouse. Then
as a child her own age, Jesus himself appeared, accompanied by many
other saints including Catherine of Siena and Peter Martyr, and the
Blessed Mother placed the ring of espousal on her finger. Like the
ring of Saint Catherine of Siena, it was visible to today's saint but
could not be seen by others.

Thereafter Catherine had frequent ecstasies and visions. Jesus always
appeared to her as a man her own age. He talked with her, taught her
how to pray, and several times took her heart away to cleanse it. When
He appeared with His Cross, she offered to help Him. He let it rest on
her shoulder a moment, and it left a wound for the rest of her life.
She also received the stigmata, though it too remained invisible to
others and, at her request, it was only revealed by her confessor
after her death.

And, of course, Jesus worked many miracles on behalf of His friend:
made a broken dish whole again, and provided money and food when the
family's poverty was extreme. In times of trial, the heavenly hosts
came to comfort the girl who received great consolation from the
aspiration, "Jesus, my hope!"

Because her family opposed her becoming a Dominican, she took the
habit of a tertiary. Her mystical experiences roused a storm of gossip
among her neighbors, who were terrified at the lights and sounds that
came from her home. The devil stirred up more trouble to mitigate her
influence over other souls. Even the Dominican fathers ostracized her
and eventually she was forced out of town and settled in Racconigi.

There rich and poor sought out Catherine for her wise counsel,
prayers, and material assistance. She was almost continually in
ecstasy. The particular object of Catherine's prayers was the
salvation of soldiers dying in battle. Numerous miracles occurred
before and after her death, and a cult arose at her tomb almost
immediately. Even her persecutors were aware of her sanctity and
retracted their bitter words (Benedictines, Dorcy).

Saint Quote:
We need not fear to be puffed with the knowledge of what God has done
for us, if we keep well before us the truth that whatever good there
may be in us, is not of us. Though a mule is laden with the precious
treasures of a prince, is it not still a clumsy, filthy beast?
-- Saint Francis de Sale

Bible Quote
Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple, and
taught. 15 And the Jews wondered, saying: How doth this man know
letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said: My
doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (John 7:14-16) DRB


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Act of Oblation to the Holy Spirit

ON MY KNEES before the great cloud of heavenly witnesses, I offer
myself body and soul to Thee, eternal Spirit of God. I adore the
brightness of Thy purity, the unerring keenness of Thy justice and the
might of Thy love. Thou art the strength and light of my soul. In Thee
I live and move and have my being. I desire never to grieve Thee by
unfaithfulness to grace, and I pray with all my heart to be kept from
the smallest sin against Thee. Make me faithful in every thought, and
grant that I may always listen to Thy voice, watch for Thy light, and
follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling to Thee and give myself to
Thee, and I ask Thee by Thy compassion to watch over me in my
weakness. Holding the pierced feet of Jesus, looking at His five
Wounds, trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened side and
stricken Heart, I implore Thee, adorable Spirit, Helper of my
infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against
Thee with the sin which Thou wilt not forgive. Grant to me the grace,
O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and of the Son, to say to Thee
always and everywhere, "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant hears." Amen.
(After a prayer by Cardinal Newman)