356: The Blood-Drinking Bride of Christ

This podcast episode explores the life and influence of Catherine of Siena, a significant figure in the 14th century. The speakers discuss her unconventional practices, such as wearing Christ's foreskin as a wedding ring, and her role as a geopolitical player. They delve into the historical context of Siena, Italy, during Catherine's birth, and the challenges the city faced, including financial setbacks and the Black Death. The episode examines Catherine's early life and spiritual journey, her extreme measures to commit to virginity, and the miraculous events surrounding her marriage to Jesus. It highlights her accomplishments as a mystic and political figure, and the tension between medieval and modern perspectives on her anorexia. The speakers also explore Catherine's complex relationship with food and the Eucharist, the paradoxical relationship between subordination and power in Christianity, and the controversy and skepticism she faced during her lifetime. Ultimately, Catherine is portrayed as a symbol of hope in a troubled world and a woman of influence whose legacy continues to inspire people today.