Sisterhood, the communion of saints and wisdom
Read Time: 8 mins
The intercession of women who have been where you are and have deepened there trust in God is a beautiful gift. There are no shortage of saintly women from all walks of life who are eager to help you along your journey. Here are a few women you could call on for prayers if you are struggling with perfectionism, distractions, temptations, loneliness, fear of God and self-doubt.
St Thérèse of Liseux
perfectionism - simplicity in love
St Thérèse of Lisieux was a sensitive French girl who entered the Carmelite convent in 1888 at 15. Although she died at the very young age of 24 her insight on redemptive suffering and ‘the little way’ has had a great influence on christian spirituaity. She was able to allow her relationship with God the Father, to be simple in the midst of more complicated teachings and practices of transcendants. She is the third woman to be recognised as a Doctor of the Church. Thérèse’s little way emphasised the ability to do little things with great love. She wasn’t perfect but she knew that and embraced it, using it to enrich her trust in God. If you’re struggling with perfectionism or finding love in the simple things, she’s your girl!
Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.
St Catherine of Siena -
distractions - mystical union
St Catherine of Siena was a woman on a mission, she was an Italian mystic and laywoman who spent the majority of her time in dialogue with the papacy on matters of theology and politics and would later become a revered writer and an influenetial political figure of medeival catholicism.
In a world with ever changing instagram filters, phone pings and breaking news at every turn it can be difficult not to get sucked into a world which is fixed on snatching your attention. It can be hard to remember that relationship with God is what you are ultimately made for. If you’re struggling with seeking validation from external things and trying to realign your priorities, this bold woman is the one to pray with.
Prayer… unites with God the soul that follows the footprints of Christ Crucified, and thus, by desire and affection, and union of love, makes her another Himself.
St Gemma Galgani
temptations - purity of heart
Gemma was an Italian mystic who died at the age of 25 with an ardent desire to love God beyond all things. She is celebrated for her spiritual writings and is the patroness of those struggling with temptations to impurity and those seeking purity of heart. Gemma took on many mortifications and penanaces but one of her simpler practices suggested to her by her mother, was to pray three Hail Marys to the Queen of Heaven in honour of her Immacualte Conception. Ask for her intercession during temptations and follow her example, asking God for all things through Mary.
Blessed Mother, never allow me to lose holy purity. Place me under your mantle, guard this treasure for me, and I shall become more pleasing to Jesus.
St Elizabeth of the Trinity
LONELINESS - contemplation
Lonliness in looming over most people in a an age of technology where we are simultaneously connected and disconnected and where third spaces in society are on the decline. We also experience lonliness in difficult moments where we feel unsuppirted, like during an illness or during grief. Elizabeth is a patron saint of illnesses and the loss of parents, and a great friend during times of deep lonliness. She was inspired by the life of St Therese of Liseux to join the Carmelites. She said her mission was ‘to lead souls out of themselves and into a great silence, where God could imprint himself in them’. She had a great love for the Trinity and knew that such communion was not a luxury for the canonised and religious but available to all. Loneliness plagues everyone as we all have an infinite desire for God but in contemplation we taste the goodness of God.
Oh yes, may the God who is all love be your unchanging dwelling place, your cell, and your cloister in the midst of the world; remember that He dwells in the deepest centre of our soul as if in a sanctuary where He wants always to be loved to the point of adoration... Oh, when you sense your weakness, go to Him; He is the Strong One, the One who gives victory through the holiness at His right hand.
julian of norwich
fear of god - Divine love
Julian lived in seclusion where she received a series of visions of the Passion of Christ. She spent the majority of her life unravelling and pondering them. She was a woman who transcended the religious culture of her time with her poetic theology and remained obscure until her death. She wrote with wisdom and clarity on the character of God and his love for humanity. After almost seven centuries in secrecy, her writings have gained esteem in recent decades and are formally known as ‘Revelations of divine love’. If your view of God is based on condemnation, fear, sin, guilt and shame then be assured of Julian’s desire to aid you on your journey to freedom.
Then Jesus our kind Lord, said, ‘If you are pleased, I am pleased. It is a joy, a bliss, an endless delight to me that I ever suffered my passion for you; and if I could suffer more, I would suffer more.
SR THEA BOWMAN
OUTSIDER - AUTHENTICITY
St. Hildegard of Bingen
self- doubt - ANOINTED potential
St Hildegard was a Benedictine abbess, visionary, mystic, philosopher, artist, composer, and writer of botanical, medical and mystical theological texts. She was a woman of brilliance with many gifts. Hildergard made sense of humanity through her creative gifts. She was courageous in trusting God’s work in her and was ahead of her time . If you have a desire to create and are struggling to trust in God’s work in you then ask for the intercession of this wise woman and enjoy her creative works.