The Medicine which Heals the World: Praying for Salvation with Catherine of Siena. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nemes, Steven; Wessling, Jordan
• Is Part Of: Irish theological quarterly. Volume 82:Number 4(2017:Nov.)
• Page Start: 303
• Page End: 321
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Catherine of Siena -- intercession -- petitionary prayer -- providence; Theology -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 282
• DOI: 10.1177/0021140017724114
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-1400

Abstract

Catherine of Siena, a renowned medieval theologian and Doctor of the Catholic Church, offers a profound and coherent interpretation of the nature and function of a specific type of petitionary prayer, namely intercession for the salvation of sinners. Her understanding of intercession has two important elements: first, intercession is a fulfilment of the commandment to 'love thy neighbour'; second, intercession is a providentially ordained means by which God intends to bring about the salvation of sinners. Contemporary philosophical-theological concerns and problems with the notion of petitionary prayer can be illumined and addressed by reference to her theory.