Blessed Catherine of Racconigi (4 September): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

Blessed Catherine of Racconigi was born into extreme poverty but received some of the most extraordinary mystical favors recorded in the lives of the saints. Her life was marked by relentless labor, hidden suffering, spiritual visions, and a profound desire to offer herself for the salvation of others. Born in 1486 in Racconigi, Piedmont, Catherine was the daughter of a poor laborer. Her family lived in a miserable hut exposed to the weather. Throughout her life she struggled against poverty, illness, rejection, and misunderstanding, yet God enriched her soul with remarkable graces. According to tradition, when Catherine was five years old, the Blessed Virgin Mary mystically promised her to the Child Jesus. Christ gave her Saint Jerome, Saint Catherine of Siena, and Saint Peter Martyr as special patrons. At nine, exhausted by constant work and the miserable conditions of her home, Catherine began to weep inconsolably. The Child Jesus appeared and comforted her, leaving her peaceful and even content with her poverty. While praying on the Feast of Saint Stephen in 1500, Catherine received a vision of the holy deacon. Three rays of light appeared to enter her as a mysterious voice declared: “I have come to take up My abode in you, to cleanse, enlighten, enkindle, and enliven your soul.” After Catherine made a vow of virginity, her mystical espousal to Christ was renewed. The mark of a ring reportedly appeared upon her finger. She also experienced the pains of the Crown of Thorns and other invisible stigmata associated with Our Lord’s Passion. At the age of twenty-eight, Catherine became a tertiary of the Order of Preachers, following the example of her patroness, Saint Catherine of Siena. She remained in the world and continued performing the difficult work of her household. Catherine offered prayers, penances, and austerities for sinners and the suffering souls in Purgatory. Deeply distressed by the wars afflicting her country, she offered herself to God as a victim for her people. A long and painful illness was understood as the acceptance of that sacrifice. Blessed Catherine died after being abandoned by many of her friends and deprived of a priest during her final hours. Five months later, her remains were transferred, and numerous miracles contributed to the spread of her devotion. Her cult was formally confirmed in 1810. May Blessed Catherine teach us that material poverty cannot prevent a soul from becoming immeasurably rich in divine grace. Blessed Catherine of Racconigi, pray for us! 00:00 Blessed Catherine of Racconigi 00:09 Born into extreme poverty 00:26 A childhood of hardship and suffering 00:43 Enriched with extraordinary graces 00:50 Betrothed to the Child Jesus 00:57 Catherine’s heavenly patrons 01:06 Comforted during exhaustion and sorrow 01:21 The vision of Saint Stephen 01:45 Three mysterious rays of light 01:54 Her vow of virginity and mystical espousal 02:03 The ring and invisible stigmata 02:11 Resemblance to Saint Catherine of Siena 02:41 Catherine joins the Dominican Third Order 02:55 The angels and the belt of chastity 03:02 Her desire to close the gates of Hell 03:10 Offering herself for other souls 03:17 Prayers and penances for Purgatory 03:24 Extraordinary mystical wonders 03:31 Catherine offers herself for her country 03:38 Her long and painful illness 03:46 Abandoned during her final hours 03:55 The translation of her remains 04:02 Miracles and the spread of her devotion 04:10 Confirmation of her cult https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/september/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 #BlessedCatherineOfRacconigi #LivesOfTheSaints #CatholicFaith #CatholicSaints #StCatherine #DominicanSaints #CatholicChurch #FeastDay #MysticalSaints 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Blessing & Favor