
Episode 8 St. Catherine of Siena: Her Life and Teachings with Fr. Thomas McDermott

In this final episode, Fr. McDermott discuss the final step of the spiritual life which is actually comprised of two stages: “perfect love” and  “perfect union”. On the “Christ-Bridge” we find ourselves with St. Catherine at the “mouth” of Christ which corresponds to the first chapter of the “Song of Songs”.  Fr. McDermott expands on St. Catherine’s teachings on the role we have as sons and daughters of the Father.
Fr. McDermott then offers a summation of St. Catherine’s teachings as a conclusion for our discussions.
Fr. Thomas McDermott, OP is Regent of Studies for the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great and is the author of “Catherine of Siena: Spiritual Development in Her Life and Teaching” (Paulist, 2008) and “Filled with all the Fullness of God: An Introduction to Catholic Spirituality”. He obtained a doctorate in spiritual theology from the Angelicum and taught for several years at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He crrently serves as pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer, in Chicago, IL.
 


SCS8 – “Perfect Love and Perfect Union” – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

Prayer and the Dominican Tradition, St. Catherine of Siena and so much more with Fr. Thomas McDermott, hosted by Kris McGregor

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In this introductory episode, Fr. McDermott discusses the person of Blessed Raymond of Capua, O.P., (ca. 1330 – 5 October 1399), who was a leading member of the Dominican Order, served as its Master General from 1380 until his death, and was the spiritual director and biographer of St. Catherine.  Fr. McDermott talks about the importance of having the Dominican perspective when looking at the accounts of St. Catherine's life.  Her family and early childhood, including her first mystical experience, are then discussed..

SCS1 – Introduction & Childhood – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast

The Fundamental Maxim and The Dark Night of Self-Knowldege – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

Fr. Thomas McDermott and Kris McGregor discuss the life of St. Catherine of Sienna, focusing on pivotal moments in her spiritual development. They explore St. Catherine’s experiences in prayer, her periods of solitude, and her relationship with her family. St. Catherine’s choice to join the Dominican third order is highlighted, as well as her struggle with temptation and the “dark night of the soul.” Fr. McDermott dispels misconceptions about her attitude towards the papacy by way of her deep love for God and the Church.
St. Catherine’s teachings, particularly her fundamental maxim on self-knowledge and humility tell listeners of the relevance of her spiritual journey for contemporary believers and the importance of maintaining a personal “cell” of self-knowledge and recollection amidst the chaos of the world.


Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

* Exploring Solitude and Isolation: How can we distinguish between solitude, as experienced by St. Catherine of Sienna, and isolation? Reflect on the significance of solitude in nurturing one’s spiritual life.
* Family Dynamics and Vocation: Consider St. Catherine’s family’s reaction to her desire for solitude and her chosen vocation. How can we reconcile familial concerns with personal vocations and aspirations?
* Understanding Third Orders: Reflect on the concept of third orders in religious life, such as the Dominican third order to which St. Catherine belonged. How might third orders provide avenues for laypeople to deepen their spiritual lives while living in the world?
* Discerning Religious Experiences: St. Catherine’s experiences of visions and dreams played a significant role in her spiritual journey. How can individuals discern whether their religious experiences are genuine messages from God or products of their own psyche?
* The Dark Night of the Soul: Reflect on St. Catherine’s “dark night” experience and her perseverance through spiritual struggles. How can we maintain faith and love for God during times of spiritual dryness or perceived abandonment?
* The Cell of Self-Knowledge: Explore the concept of the “cell of self-knowledge” as discussed by St. Catherine. How might we cultivate inner recollection and self-awareness amidst the distractions of daily life?
* Love for God and Others: St. Catherine emphasized the connection between one’s love for God and the quality of relationships with others. Reflect on how our interactions with others reflect our love for God, and vice versa.
* Misconceptions and Authentic Spirituality: Consider misconceptions about St. Catherine’s relationship with the Church, particularly regarding her interactions with the papacy. How can we discern authentic spirituality within the context of the Church’s teachings and authority?


For the entire Discerning Hearts series “The Life and Teachings of St. Catherine of Siena” visit here
Fr. Thomas McDermott, OP is Regent of Studies for the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great and is the author of “Catherine of Siena: Spiritual Development in Her Life and Teaching” (Paulist, 2008) and “Filled with all the Fullness of God: An Introduction to Catholic Spirituality”. He obtained a doctorate in spiritual theology from the Angelicum and taught for several years at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He crrently serves as pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer, in Chicago, IL.


SCS2 – The Fundamental Maxim and The Dark Night of Self-Knowldege  – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast

The Mystical Experiences – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

Fr. Thomas McDermott and Kris McGregor discuss the life of St. Catherine of Siena, focusing on her mystical experiences and their significance: he mystical spousals with Christ, her understanding of virtues and their role in Christian life, and her practical approach to serving others, exemplified by her care for the sick and difficult; her willingness to endure suffering for the salvation of others, culminating in her experience of the stigmata.


Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

* Mystical Spousals and Divine Union: How does St. Catherine of Sienna’s experience of mystical spousals with Christ reflect her deep union with God? What insights can we gain from her understanding of this mystical experience?
* Virtues and Christian Life: In what ways did St. Catherine emphasize the importance of virtues in Christian life, particularly in contrast to merely following the commandments? How can we apply her emphasis on virtues in our own spiritual journey?
* Practical Love and Service: Reflect on St. Catherine’s practical approach to serving others, such as her care for the sick and difficult, like Andrea. How does her example challenge us to overcome our own limitations and extend love and service to those around us?
* Union with God and Suffering: Discuss St. Catherine’s deep union with God and her willingness to endure suffering for the salvation of others, as seen in her experience of the stigmata. How does her example inspire us to embrace suffering as a means of drawing closer to Christ and participating in His redemptive work?
* Gospel-Centered Reflection: Consider how St. Catherine’s teachings and experiences remain closely aligned with the Gospel. How can we strive to center our own spiritual reflections and practices on the teachings of Christ as she did?


For the entire Discerning Hearts series “The Life and Teachings of St. Catherine of Siena” visit here
Fr. Thomas McDermott, OP is Regent of Studies for the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great and is the author of “Catherine of Siena: Spiritual Development in Her Life and Teaching” (Paulist, 2008) and “Filled with all the Fullness of God: An Introduction to Catholic Spirituality”. He obtained a doctorate in spiritual theology from the Angelicum and taught for several years at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He crrently serves as pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer, in Chicago, IL.


SCS3 – The Mystical Experiences  – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast

The Avignon and Rome Years – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

Fr. Thomas McDermott and Kris McGregor discuss the life of St. Catherine of Siena and her role in persuading the Pope to return to Rome from Avignon after a 70-year absence. They shine a light on St. Catherine’s remarkable transformation from a seemingly shy recluse to a prominent figure advising the Pope. Her directness and authority, rooted in her divine revelations and visions, were instrumental in influencing the Pope’s decision.
Fr. McDermott also shares his personal connection to St. Catherine, describing how studying her teachings profoundly impacted his spiritual journey, leading to a deep admiration and engagement with her life.


Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

* St. Catherine’s Influence: How does St. Catherine’s transformation from a shy recluse to a prominent advisor to the Pope reflect her deep spiritual journey and divine calling?
* Access to the Papal Court: What do you think allowed St. Catherine, a woman, to have such unprecedented access to the papal court during her time, and what significance does this hold for understanding the medieval Church’s attitude towards women?
* St. Catherine’s Authority: In what ways did St. Catherine demonstrate her prophetic voice and authority, particularly in her directness and fearlessness in confronting the Pope and addressing the issues within the Church?
* St. Catherine’s Personal Sacrifice: Reflect on St. Catherine’s physical and spiritual suffering, such as her struggles with food and her tireless devotion to prayer for the Church. How does her perseverance in the face of suffering inspire you in your own spiritual journey?
* St. Catherine’s Legacy: Discuss the enduring impact of St. Catherine’s life and teachings on the Catholic Church. How can her example of love for the Church coupled with constructive criticism guide us in our efforts for spiritual renewal and reform today?


For the entire Discerning Hearts series “The Life and Teachings of St. Catherine of Siena” visit here
Fr. Thomas McDermott, OP is Regent of Studies for the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great and is the author of “Catherine of Siena: Spiritual Development in Her Life and Teaching” (Paulist, 2008) and “Filled with all the Fullness of God: An Introduction to Catholic Spirituality”. He obtained a doctorate in spiritual theology from the Angelicum and taught for several years at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He crrently serves as pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer, in Chicago, IL.


SCS4 – The Avignon and Rome Years  – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast

The Supreme Truth and other topics – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

In this enlightening episode, Father Thomas McDermott O.P. delves into St. Catherine of Siena’s spiritual legacy, exploring her status as a Doctor of the Church and the profound depth of her teachings as presented in her principal work, The Dialogue, and her extensive letters. Father McDermott elucidates St. Catherine’s mystical experiences, particularly during her communion, where she received divine locutions that formed the basis of her writings.
The episode highlights the core themes of St. Catherine’s teachings, including the importance of truth and self-knowledge, the practical application of theology in everyday Christian life, and virtues like humility, obedience, and patience. A significant focus is also placed on the concept of divinization, a key aspect of her theology, which illustrates how humans are invited to share in God’s divinity through grace. This discussion sheds light on St. Catherine’s theological contributions. It underscores her timeless impact on Christian spirituality and ecclesiastical teachings, offering valuable insights into living a virtuous Christian life rooted in contemplative practice and practical action.


Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

* Self-Knowledge and Truth: St. Catherine emphasized the importance of self-knowledge and understanding the truth about God and ourselves. Reflect on your own journey of self-knowledge. How has your understanding of yourself influenced your relationship with God?
* Divine Communication: Father McDermott describes St. Catherine’s mystical experiences and her communion with God. How do you perceive divine communication in your own life? In what ways do you feel God communicates with you, and how do you respond?
* Practical Virtues: St. Catherine’s teachings highlight virtues like humility, obedience, and patience. Choose one of these virtues and reflect on its role in your life. Can you identify a recent situation where you successfully or unsuccessfully embodied this virtue?
* Role of Mystical Experiences: According to St. Catherine, mystical experiences should lead to an increase in virtuous living. Reflect on any personal experiences that you consider mystical or profoundly spiritual. How have these experiences impacted your daily actions and spiritual growth?
* Concept of Divinization: The idea of sharing in God’s divinity is a profound aspect of St. Catherine’s theology. Reflect on what divinization means to you. How does the concept that we are made to share in the divine life influence your understanding of your purpose and actions?
* The Impact of Sin and Grace: Discuss how St. Catherine views the effects of original sin and grace on human nature. How does recognizing your own sinfulness and God’s grace change the way you approach life and relationships?
* Teachings Applied to Contemporary Issues: St. Catherine was practical and addressed the needs of her time. How can her teachings be applied to contemporary issues in the Church or society today? Are there specific teachings that resonate with you in addressing current challenges?
* Contemplative Prayer: St. Catherine strongly advocated contemplative prayer as a means to truth and a deeper relationship with God. How does contemplative prayer fit into your spiritual practice? What steps can you take to deepen or incorporate contemplative prayer into your routine?


For the entire Discerning Hearts series “The Life and Teachings of St. Catherine of Siena” visit here
Fr. Thomas McDermott, OP is Regent of Studies for the Dominican Province of St.

SCS8 – “Perfect Love and Perfect Union” – St. Catherine of Siena with Fr. Thomas McDermott O.P.

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