Session 5
Te Deum totiusconsolationis
O God of all consolation, upon Thee I call, May I obtain with Thee, merciful Father,Who seest in us nothing Thou hast not given, The enlightenment of wisdom for my mind,
That after the end of this life Thou might deign The hunger for what is truly desirable,
to grant the knowledge of Thee, First Truth, The praise of triumph for my striving
and the fulfillment of Thy divine majesty. Where there is, with Thee
The avoidance of all danger
Fill up in my body, The many mansions
Most bountiful Rewarder, Concord of the will
The beauty of light, Where there is [with Thee]
The agility of prompt obedience The pleasantness of spring,
The fine ability to do Thy will The radiance of summer
The strength of indifference to harm. The fruitfulness of fall,
Add to these and the deep sleep of winter.
The affluence of Thy riches,
The influx of all delights, Grant us, O Lord, God,
The gathering together of all that is good Life without death,
That I may be able to have Thy consolation above me, Joy without sorrow,
The pleasantness of what lies beneath me, where there isThe fullness of Liberty,
The glorification of body and soul within me, Boundless security,
According to the delightful gathering of Angels Secure tranquility,
and men about me. Merry happiness
Joyful eternity,
Eternal blessedness
Vision of Truthand praise, O God. Amen.
- St. Thomas Aquinas
QUESTIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING
- What evidence do we have that God loved us first, and loves us unconditionally? (CCC 270, 315, 545; Ps 145:8-19; John 3:16-17; Luke 15:3-7)
- How should we love God? (Deut 6:4-7; Matt 22:37-40; John 13:34; CCC 1822-23, 1878, 2093; 1 John 4:19-21)
- In what ways did St. Catherine follow the commandments to “love one another” during her life on earth? What are the characteristics of this type of love? (CCC 1825, 2443-44, 2447; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
- St Catherine talked and wrote much about the blood of Christ; in fact, she repeated the word “blood” over and over at her death. What is significant about blood in the Old Covenant? How does blood relate to the New Covenant? (Gen 15:7-12, 17-18; Ex 23:3-8; Lev 17:11; Heb 9:12-14, 22; Luke 22:19-20; CCC 613, 1365)
QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION
- In looking back over St. Catherine’s life, it is interesting that her time was very balanced between contemplative prayer and service. Jesus sent her on mission through prayer, and it seemed she did not go where he did not lead her. How would you characterize the balance of prayer and action in your life? Does prayer precede yourworks of mercy? How can you be sure that you aredoing the works that God wants you to do and notthose that, in your own ego you believe arenecessary?
- St. Catherine experienced continual encounters with Christ. When and how have you encountered Christ in your life? How did that change your attitude and behavior? What mission is Christ asking of you now and in the near future?
Novena Prayer in Honor of St. Catherine of Siena
Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise your glory in the life of the admirable St. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church. Her whole life was a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your unblemished Lamb. In troubled times she strenuously upheld the rights of His beloved spouse, The Church. Father, honour her merits and hear her prayers for each of us, and for our whole parish family dedicated to her. Help us to pass unscathed through the corruption of this world, and to remain unshakably faithful to the church in word, deed, and example. Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in the storms of life, and a beacon of light to the harbour of your Love, in this dark night of your times and men's souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition . . . (pause to pray for your own intentions). We ask this through Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for us.
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