The Life of St. Catherine of Siena

Saint Catherine of Siena (1347 – 1380) was a sister in the Dominican Order, who was later declared a saint and doctor of the Church.

Born and raised in Siena (or Sienna), at an early age she wanted to devote herself to God, initially against the will of her parents. She joined the Dominican Sisters of the Penance doing works of charity. Through prayer and fasting her holiness grew and became manifest in many miracles and eventually she received the stigmata.

She would later accompany her father confessor to visit Pope Gregory XI in Avignon, France. Her influence with the pope played an important role in his decision to move the holy see back to Rome. She was later sent by him to negotiate peace with Florence which she accomplished.

The Great Schism in the West led Catherine of Siena again to the pope in Rome. Through correspondence she convinced many princes and cardinals to remain obedient to Pope Urban VI, the "vessel of the Church." In 1380 she died from her extreme penances. Pope Urban VI celebrated her funeral and burial himself in Rome.

Devotion to Catherine of Siena spread rapidly after her death, and she was canonized in 1461.

Her most famous writing is 'The Dialogues' which she composed from her experiences which in a prayerful ecstasy.

This biography of her life is composed by Blessed Raymond of Capua, one of St. Catherine's spiritual father confessors,
a man who intimately knew her and experienced her miraculous life first-hand.