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Catherine of Siena (1347–1380)

We were Enclosed

We were enclosed,
O eternal Father,
within the garden of your breast.
You drew us out of your holy mind
like a flower
petaled with our soul's three powers,
and into each power
you put the whole plant,
so that they might bear fruit in your garden,
might come back to you
with the fruit you gave them.
And you would come back to the soul,
to fill her with your blessedness.
There the soul dwells —
like the fish in the sea
and the sea in the fish.

Translated by Suzanne Noffke

Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) was an Italian mystic and devout laywoman who was called a Doctor of the Church for her extensive theological scholarship. She was a counselor to two popes at a time when the church was in turmoil. 

Selected by Amy Frykholm: amy@journeywithjesus.net



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