In a time of plague, war, famine, and greed, a young girl stood up for her convictions and followed a path of unselfish servitude to those in need. Her actions in the 14th century made her revered today. Her service to the church made her a saint.
Now, St. Catherine of Siena’s story lives on through the ministry of Sister Nancy Murray, a Dominican nun.
Murray performs a one-woman show, which tells the story of the 14th-century saint, and will offer up her performance as a benefit to St. Mary’s of the Assumption school in Santa Maria on Aug. 21.
With nothing but a small table and chair, a crucifix, a vase of flowers, a candle, and a glass of water, Murray presents a 14-character play that tells the tale of St. Catherine’s life—with humor and energy.
Murray said that St. Catherine’s tale resonates with people because of her determination to overcome obstacles and challenges she faced in a time when women were expected to assume certain roles. St. Catherine, however, refused to accept such mandates.
“It was a time when you got married at 12 and your parents arranged a marriage to someone who was 22, and you made lots of pasta,” Murray said. “Yet she decided she didn’t want to do this.”
Instead, St. Catherine sought a way to spread the message of God. In doing so, she found a lot of opposition and was forced to prove herself.
“She had a fierce determination, but also a kindness. Growing up with so many brothers and sisters, you’d be more than a little precocious,” Murray said.
Originally named Caterina Benincasa, St. Catherine was the 24th child born into a Siena, Italy, family in 1347. She became a lay member of the Dominican Order, cared for terminally ill patients, and ministered to prisoners on death row. Even though she lacked a formal education, she’s best known for her letters of spiritual guidance and for The Dialogue, which contains prayers she shared with God. She died in 1380 at the age of 33.
Murray compared people’s reactions to St. Catherine’s behavior to the first reactions to the Beatles’ haircuts or some of the more extreme modern expressions of style.
“She was just doing something that was so different. It’s like the first person in your neighborhood with tattoos and piercings, and you think ‘Argh!’”
Murray is the sibling of Santa Maria businessman Ed Murray and comedian and actor Bill Murray. Her own family was large, and—yes—funny.
“Sometimes it borders on sarcasm,” she said of spending time with her siblings. “Some of them have a dryer sense of humor, some are more extroverted, some of them come across in writing.”
Growing up in such a family gave Murray a sense of perspective in portraying St. Catherine’s relationship with her family.
“Growing up in a big family with a strong mama and a soft-spoken father—my dad only had a look—and being a Dominican myself, I felt a strong connect,” she said.
Being surrounded by a funny family also helped hone Murray’s wit and helped her recognize what she believes is the sense of humor that St. Catherine portrays in her writings, even in something as small as the simplicity of her response to someone.
Murray has taken her portrayal of St. Catherine around the world, from orphanages in East Timor to Scotland’s Edinburgh Festival. She was persuaded by her brother Ed to bring the performance to Santa Maria to benefit St. Mary’s scholarship program. The scholarships will help fund tuition for students whose families have already been adversely affected by the mortgage loan crisis.
Murray said that the performance piece wasn’t something she had ever expected to do. It was based on a script written by Murray’s late friend and former teacher, Sister Kathleen Harkins. After Harkins’ passing, Murray picked up the torch, and the play of Catherine of Siena evolved and continued to grow until she was asked to make it her full-time ministry. And she knows she’s touching people because of the feedback she continues to receive.
“People kind of go, like ‘Wow, this isn’t like Late-Night Catechism.”
INFOBOX: Grab a seat
Catherine of Siena will take place at 7 p.m. on Aug. 21 at St. Mary of Assumption Church, 414 E. Church St., in Santa Maria. Following the performance, a special reception with Murray will be held in parish hall, directly across the street from the church. Tickets to the play are $20 for adults, and free for children younger than 18. The reception costs $50 and includes priority seating for the performance. Tickets can be purchased at St. Mary’s School office, Rendezvous, or Company’s Coming. For more information, call 925-6713.
Arts Editor Shelly Cone often refuses to accept mandates. Contact her at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 14-21, 2008.
