St. Catherine (Catherine Benincasa) lived in 1300s Italy. She lived in a time of class feuds, religious wars, Black Plague, and famine. She was known for love of human beings, and a desire to understand more of God, the Holy.
I’m touched this morning by her poem, that speaks to heart and song.
Give The Heart More Strength
St. Catherine of Siena
Herbs can help the body and give
the heart more strength
to love.
When my sight became clearer,
I could see auras around different foods,
and I now know — should I say this?–
that everything can sing.
The songs of fruits and grains will calm,
why not put them into yourself,
a new language you
will learn.
And just touching life’s requirements
close to their source
will add grace to your
movements.
More generous eyes we need.
The songs of light
will help
you.
If I were working this to a prompt to invite reflection with a group, I might ask
How are you growing the strength of your heart?
Or
How is it that you are finding grace in your movements?
Or
What are the songs that you can hear?
Or
What do you now see with your generous eyes?
And then, chances are, I’d feel great love in the hearing and in the sharing that would invite us, the group, to move with purpose and kindness and heart strength.
“She was known for love of human beings, and a desire to understand more of God, the Holy.” something I recognize as an aspiration for myself. an invitation to explore her story more closely.
The question that attracts me this morning:
How is it that you are finding grace in your movements?
In the lead-up to my birthday this year, I find I am particularly interested in persuading my brain that the grace in movement is fundamental to my well-being.
To the journey Saoirse. Of body. Of soul. Of heart. Of discovered song. Of companions.
St. Catherine is one of the reasons I spent some time wandering in Siena several years ago. This poem reminds me why. Thank you.
I love hearing this Katharine. And knowing some of these sources of your inspiration.