Catherine of Siena, Patron Saint of Fire Prevention?

p.s. [to letter to niece]
Why is Catherine of Siena a Patron Saint of Fire Prevention?

Try these ideas….



From the Prayers of Saint Catherine –

My Nature is Fire
(Prayer 12)

In your nature, eternal Godhead, I shall come to know my nature. And what is my nature, boundless love? It is Fire, because you are nothing but a fire of love. And you have given humankind a share in this nature, for by the fire of love you created us. And so with all other people and every created thing; you made them out of love….


A Poem of St Catherine’s -

O, abyss! 0 eternal Godhead! 0 deep sea!
What more could you have given me than the gift of your very self?
You are a fire always burning but never consuming;
you are a fire consuming in your heat all the soul's selfish love;
you are a fire lifting all chill and giving light.
In your light you have made me know your truth:
You are that light beyond all light
who gives the mind's eye supernatural light in such fullness and perfection that
you bring clarity even to the light of faith.
In that faith I see that my soul has life,
and in that light receives you who are Light…


From St Catherine’s biography –

Catherine's frustrated parents tried to marry her against her wishes. She responded by cutting off all her hair, which infuriated her parents. To discipline her, they made her the servant of the house, responsible for all the chores. She was showered with insults and humiliation, but she rejoiced at being able to serve her family, as if they were the "Holy family" of God. One day while turning the spit of the fire, she reportedly fell into ecstasy and rolled in the ashes, yet she revived unharmed….

< Unlike St Catherine, your family supports your vocation – with the understandable trepidations. But, you and St Catherine have in common the fire of your vocation. One day, you will find yourself in the bowels of a fire. May St Catherine be one of those who make sure you emerge unharmed. >



From St. Catherine’s biography

During the summer of 1370 she received a series of special manifestations of Divine mysteries, which culminated in a prolonged trance, a kind of mystical death, in which she had a vision of her being in Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven,….

< There are other similar experiences described for St Catherine’s experiences as actually being in the fires of Purgatory and Hell; and, of course, returning unscathed. I do not doubt that being in the midst of a fire is like being in hell. May St Catherine be one of those who make sure you always emerge from those times unscathed. >


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