Comments on: A Life Lived Completely for Our Lord http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2008/04/29/a-life-lived-completely-for-our-lord/ If it\'s Catholic we\'ll talk about it and probably sell it. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:18:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Mark Smith http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/2008/04/29/a-life-lived-completely-for-our-lord/#comment-1415 Mark Smith Thu, 01 May 2008 03:29:18 +0000 http://catholicinformation.aquinasandmore.com/?p=719#comment-1415 I had the wonderful privilege and honor of visiting Siena last month. What a beautiful city, and even more, the goose bumps from visiting the Dominican church where St. Catherine regularly attended mass as a child. Her incorrupt head is on display there. At the spot where she clothed the beggar, whom she inwardly knew as Jesus, I was able to kneel and pray. Less then 10 feet away, I knelt and prayed at the spot where she had a conversion of heart. Visiting their humble home, and then praying across the street in front of the crucifix before which she received the stigmata, was a wonderful experience. As a religious goods importer, I was visiting with a particular manufacturer who was friends with the curator of the onsite Dominican gift shop. He gave us a personal tour of the church with the inside "scoop" you would often miss just passing through on pilgrimage. What a wonderful experience. And he also gave me a wonderful book on the life of St Catherine that they sell at the gift shop. What a wonderful Saint. As is so similar a story with other great Saints, from the humblest of beginnings, she became the trusted counselor of powerful political leaders - and even Popes! The contrast between her frail physical countenance and commanding verbal and written address is astounding. Truly, a central and pivotal instrument of God to return the Holy Father from France to Rome - as well as quelling major strife in Italy and Europe. Earlier that day, I had the equally wonderful experience of a brief visit to Assisi. Praying before THE San Damiano Crucifix that spoke to St. Francis. The incorrupt body of St. Clare. The tunic, cinch, bible, and more that belonged to Francis. And despite the roar of buses and tourists, the peaceful serenity of Assisi. Then that night ,and the next morning, at Florence. And the drive through Tuscany in between. It ranks as one of the 24 hours of my life. Thank you ,Heavenly Father, for the many wonderful blessings you bestowed upon me during this trip, and continue to bestow upon me and my family. Mark Smith I had the wonderful privilege and honor of visiting Siena last month. What a beautiful city, and even more, the goose bumps from visiting the Dominican church where St. Catherine regularly attended mass as a child. Her incorrupt head is on display there. At the spot where she clothed the beggar, whom she inwardly knew as Jesus, I was able to kneel and pray. Less then 10 feet away, I knelt and prayed at the spot where she had a conversion of heart. Visiting their humble home, and then praying across the street in front of the crucifix before which she received the stigmata, was a wonderful experience.

As a religious goods importer, I was visiting with a particular manufacturer who was friends with the curator of the onsite Dominican gift shop. He gave us a personal tour of the church with the inside “scoop” you would often miss just passing through on pilgrimage. What a wonderful experience. And he also gave me a wonderful book on the life of St Catherine that they sell at the gift shop. What a wonderful Saint. As is so similar a story with other great Saints, from the humblest of beginnings, she became the trusted counselor of powerful political leaders - and even Popes! The contrast between her frail physical countenance and commanding verbal and written address is astounding. Truly, a central and pivotal instrument of God to return the Holy Father from France to Rome - as well as quelling major strife in Italy and Europe.

Earlier that day, I had the equally wonderful experience of a brief visit to Assisi. Praying before THE San Damiano Crucifix that spoke to St. Francis. The incorrupt body of St. Clare. The tunic, cinch, bible, and more that belonged to Francis. And despite the roar of buses and tourists, the peaceful serenity of Assisi.

Then that night ,and the next morning, at Florence. And the drive through Tuscany in between. It ranks as one of the 24 hours of my life.

Thank you ,Heavenly Father, for the many wonderful blessings you bestowed upon me during this trip, and continue to bestow upon me and my family.

Mark Smith

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