After an amazing journey of researching, writing and revising, I’m so happy to let Missio Dei readers know that my novel, World Between Worlds, has just been published by En Route Books & Media.
I'm very much looking forward to reading this, Jenny, and am excited that you've found a publisher. A question, though. You say she forged an independent path that no other woman before her had (outside of marriage or Religious life) but weren't there a great number of hermits over the centuries who didn't fit the mould? Certainly Julian of Norwich comes to mind, but there were many less conventional even than she, such as Mary of Egypt. Could you elaborate?
That's an awesome question! Julian of Norwich was an anchorite; it was not uncommon in that day to be a religious recluse dedicated to prayer and withdrawal from society. Mary of Egypt was one of the desert ascetics, again leading a life of withdrawal from society. These types of vocations weren't uncommon. The independent path Caterina forged was that of public teaching and amazing authority. She reached out to all levels of society, from prostitutes to kings, queens, cardinals and popes--and they all paid her great heed. She didn't withdraw to become an anchorite or desert hermit like Julian of Norwich or Mary of Egypt--although she wanted to--but rather led a public life that, in those days, was reserved for men only. She knew the Lord was calling her not to the vocation of marriage or the convent, but to a public single life dedicated to Jesus, her Divine Bridegroom, and the salvation of souls. That was utterly unique in her day. A consecrated single life as a vocation was unheard of, yet she followed God's will and did just that, all for the love of neighbor and love of her Bridegroom.
I'm very much looking forward to reading this, Jenny, and am excited that you've found a publisher. A question, though. You say she forged an independent path that no other woman before her had (outside of marriage or Religious life) but weren't there a great number of hermits over the centuries who didn't fit the mould? Certainly Julian of Norwich comes to mind, but there were many less conventional even than she, such as Mary of Egypt. Could you elaborate?
That's an awesome question! Julian of Norwich was an anchorite; it was not uncommon in that day to be a religious recluse dedicated to prayer and withdrawal from society. Mary of Egypt was one of the desert ascetics, again leading a life of withdrawal from society. These types of vocations weren't uncommon. The independent path Caterina forged was that of public teaching and amazing authority. She reached out to all levels of society, from prostitutes to kings, queens, cardinals and popes--and they all paid her great heed. She didn't withdraw to become an anchorite or desert hermit like Julian of Norwich or Mary of Egypt--although she wanted to--but rather led a public life that, in those days, was reserved for men only. She knew the Lord was calling her not to the vocation of marriage or the convent, but to a public single life dedicated to Jesus, her Divine Bridegroom, and the salvation of souls. That was utterly unique in her day. A consecrated single life as a vocation was unheard of, yet she followed God's will and did just that, all for the love of neighbor and love of her Bridegroom.
thank you!
Happy feast day!