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I suppose my objection to her - which is poorly founded and half-hearted, really - is that she impresses me as a female version of Bernard of Clairvaux, whom I also find somewhat repellent. The Oxford Dictionary of Saints says it well: "Like Bernard, Catherine had prophetic vision [that's OK] and personal intransigence [that's not]; these led both of them to identify God's cause with their own." Then there's the grotesque display of her head... And, of course, I firmly believe, with Jung, that what we find objectionable in others is what we see of our own shadow in them. Now that really gives me pause...... Best, (Chastened) Kathryn p.s. I also deeply resent the dismissal of C. of Alexandria. How someone revered almost since the beginning can be said not to have existed... David Collins wrote: > > Way to go, Maeve. You tell 'em. > > djc > > "Maeve B. Callan" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > >Kathryn of Covington LA wrote: > >. . . C. of Siena, too neurotic, > > Of all the company she keeps, and she's neurotic? I'm curious as to > why she strikes you as such, since she's one of the last saints I'd > classify as neurotic (although I grant a few of the tales told by > Raymond could qualify). I find her one of the most empowered and > empowering saints, who embodied caritas, both of God and neighbor > (she could maybe have worked on her love of self, but most saints, > especially female saints, probably could have). She chose to serve > those who needed her most, in the face of great suffering, hatred, > violence, etc, which might make a lesser mind neurotic, but she > remained committed, balanced, calm, and a constant source of support > for others. To me, she possesses most of the best virtues of being a > saint, and, more importantly, of being human. > > Maeve > > David J. Collins, S.J. > > History Department > Northwestern University > > mailing address: > 6525 N. Sheridan Rd. > Chicago, IL 60626 > > vox: 773/508-3202 > fax: 773/508-3240 > > ____________________________________________________________________ > Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%