SR PAULINE QUINN'S JOURNEY OF HOPE: ST CATHERINE'S HERMITAGE

Monday, January 15, 2007

ST CATHERINE'S HERMITAGE

St Catherine of Siena was torn between going out into the world to help the poor and living a contemplative life that was focused on the Lord. My St Catherine's Hermitage is a small retreat in the middle of town where I can be in prayer in a house of peace. It has a chapel where I go to pray.. where I can regroup again to go out into the world and help people. St Catherine of Siena was a person who was bold in her ways.. unafraid of standing up to Bishops who have lost their way, doing evil or hurting people by abusing their power. Even though I never thought I would become a Dominican and especially looking up to the life of St Catherine and Blessed Margaret of Castello the patron on the unwanted, I found that both their lives have encouraged my own vocation to continue on.

St Catherine of Siena

Blessed Margaret of Castello

Blessed Margaret of Castello a Dominican Who Was Moved to Help The Poor, Unwanted, and Marginalized

The journey to somewhere is never a smooth pathway

Many people suffer all their life because of terrible things that have happened to them. They don't want to be labeled or judged. They don't want people to think badly about them.

People who have disabilities often feel that they will not be liked because they might be different in one way or another. It is terrible what they have to go through because of the indifference of so many people in our society.

I say... stand up for yourselves even if it hurts to do so.

I say... don't let people's negative views of you, because of their own insecurities, cast you away or make you feel less than anyone else.

God is good and loves us all.

I lived in 14 different institutions as a young girl because of family dysfuntion, running away from the fights and abuse. I was sexually and physically tortured even in the institutions; later I was homeless living in abandoned buildings, losing all hope and having no friends.

Because of the extent of abuse I suffered and the lenght of time without anyone to speak to about it, I developed self abuse syndrome and life time Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Most people don't understand nor make an effort to understand but I can't control what they do, only how I respond to it.

Through a very long road I pulled myself up, giving God and His mercy the credit in saving my life. I became a Dominican, helping many people around the world as a simple servant who cares about the poor and unwanted.

No one should ever be ashamed because of the evils of others who hurt you or be afraid of what people will think of you to talk about it or feel defeated when others don't understand.

Don't be afraid to say "I belong" and if they don't like it or accept it, it is their problem ~ not yours! God came to love and help YOU. He created you as special no matter what we look like or our walk in life. Remember that. I shared my story with you to show you that all things are possible with God and no one needs to be ashamed of what might have happened to you along life's way.

Sr Paulina Quinn op

srpauline@pathwaystohope.org

Don't be afraid to share your journey

I share my life, not to boast with pride as if I am any better than anyone else, for I am not.

It is difficult for me to share... to be exposed but I do so for the sake of others who are trapped into the space of not seeing that they can be something different than they are or feel.

I was once there. I had no hope. I felt like I was the worst person in all the world. I had tortured myself for 25 years because people, by the way they treated me as a child and into my adult life, pulled from me any self worth I had.

It was through friends who believed in me, the knowledge of God's love and mercy and through those in power in Dominican Order in Rome who welcomed me as I am, not afraid or embarrassed to see me as their sister... which gave me the courage to do all the work I have for the Lord, deeply rooted in the spirit of truth and justice that is so much a part of my life. I've been a Dominican for 24 years.

Sr Pauline Quinn OP

FORGIVE

The greatest act of faith that we can do is to forgive others their faults and failings. I was traumatized for much of my life. No one will pay for what was done to me, but I don't have any hate or bitterness for them.

If people have hurt us within the church, don't give up the church because of a few. You are the church and belong there.

I have met my share of hurtful people ~priests and religious and others who have judged and treated me horrible. But there is no person on earth that will pull me away from where I belong.

Stand with your head up and move forward, praying for those who have hurt you and by doing this, you will find God.

THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE

Monday, January 15, 2007

ST CATHERINE'S HERMITAGE