As always my liturgical friend, this post has illuminated my mind, heart and soul with knowledge of a person, tradition and celebration that is new to me. We are beginning summer here but my own personal season is one of reflection and inwardness after losing my parents. Still, I pray most days to be light and love in people’s lives, to reflect that of Jesus. This is a task I take seriously and so to read of another Catherine was timely and meaningful. I see you, Kristin, as using your own natural reflective nature in a hugely powerful way. Your words come from that place of inwardness and then come out to the world and bless us with ideas and wisdom. I will re read this post and celebrate the feast with candles in my own home. Thank you yet again for providing this wonderful space.
Oh Cate, it's really such a marvel to me to get to feel so close to you, even though we're so far away! Observing the way our own personal seasons cycle in and out of liturgical celebrations is something that can be so fruitful. (How many Lents have I experienced outside of the formal season?!) I think of you and your family daily, as you navigate these reflective times. The way you continue on, sharing beauty and also thankfully protecting that time of inwardness, is so inspiring. Much love to you!
Thank you for this. I had no idea about Saint Catherine or her day. She is my namesake too. And there is a resonance. I have an essay about my name and her story deepens and redeems what I have known about my name previous.
It's amazing to think about how these saintly stories can deepen and redeem (in your beautiful words) the things we know about our own history! I'm so glad you found this resonant...and how wonderful to find a kindred in your namesake. Thanks so much for being here and sharing your story.
Thanks so very much, Amelia - all of these liturgical traditions help me widen my perspective on my own life and my personality tendencies. Somehow, by pulling me out of myself, they also settle me more deeply into myself! Mysterious stuff. I'm grateful to get to share in it all with you and learn with you, Amelia!
This is such a joy to read as her feast day is my husband’s birthday. He is not Catholic but definitely embodies the spirit of rigorous intellectual argumentation which Catherine is so famous for.
As always my liturgical friend, this post has illuminated my mind, heart and soul with knowledge of a person, tradition and celebration that is new to me. We are beginning summer here but my own personal season is one of reflection and inwardness after losing my parents. Still, I pray most days to be light and love in people’s lives, to reflect that of Jesus. This is a task I take seriously and so to read of another Catherine was timely and meaningful. I see you, Kristin, as using your own natural reflective nature in a hugely powerful way. Your words come from that place of inwardness and then come out to the world and bless us with ideas and wisdom. I will re read this post and celebrate the feast with candles in my own home. Thank you yet again for providing this wonderful space.
Oh Cate, it's really such a marvel to me to get to feel so close to you, even though we're so far away! Observing the way our own personal seasons cycle in and out of liturgical celebrations is something that can be so fruitful. (How many Lents have I experienced outside of the formal season?!) I think of you and your family daily, as you navigate these reflective times. The way you continue on, sharing beauty and also thankfully protecting that time of inwardness, is so inspiring. Much love to you!
This is so beautiful, I think I'll want to read this one a few times. You've packed so much in here and I love it!
You’re so kind, Mairi - thank you!!
Thank you for this. I had no idea about Saint Catherine or her day. She is my namesake too. And there is a resonance. I have an essay about my name and her story deepens and redeems what I have known about my name previous.
It's amazing to think about how these saintly stories can deepen and redeem (in your beautiful words) the things we know about our own history! I'm so glad you found this resonant...and how wonderful to find a kindred in your namesake. Thanks so much for being here and sharing your story.
I love the way you weave together personal reflections on the seasons with ancient prayers and traditions. This was a beautiful piece.
Thanks so very much, Amelia - all of these liturgical traditions help me widen my perspective on my own life and my personality tendencies. Somehow, by pulling me out of myself, they also settle me more deeply into myself! Mysterious stuff. I'm grateful to get to share in it all with you and learn with you, Amelia!
She is my patron saint, after spending childhood as Eastern Orthodox. It was good to get to know her again here. Many thanks!
Oh my goodness, how wonderful! I'm so glad you got to be reaquainted with her again. Thanks so much for being here!
This is such a joy to read as her feast day is my husband’s birthday. He is not Catholic but definitely embodies the spirit of rigorous intellectual argumentation which Catherine is so famous for.