Notes from Father Adam Lewis: St. Catherine of Siena

St. Catherine of Siena advises: "Never descend to the level of argument with the enemy in times of temptation." For "getting people to discuss the matter" is exactly what he wants.

One time, in the midst of severe and vile temptations, Catherine was discouraged and asked the Lord where he had been all the while. "I was in your heart," the Lord assured her. "But how can I possibly believe that you were in my heart," she asked, "when it was full of ugly, filthy thoughts?" Jesus then asked if the thoughts had made her happy or sad. When Catherine replied that she was not at all pleased with the thoughts but was completely disgusted with them, Jesus explained that it was he, hidden at the center of her heart, who made her feel such dissatisfaction. "If I had not been there they would have entered your heart and you would have felt pleasure in them," the Lord explained, "but my presence there caused them to displease you." He went on: "I, who was defending your heart from the enemies, was hidden there all the time, and though I permitted you to be attacked I was still there."

The experience, Catherine realized, was the answer to her prayer to grow in fortitude.