The Life of St. Catherine of Siena

by Raymond of Capua

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.

Genres: Theology

401 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2019

Reviews

[Christine Calabrese · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Life of St. Catherine Of Siena by Blessed Raymond of Capua.

The book is written like a letter. I think it may have been a letter to those who did not understand St. Catherine or mocked her; it’s not written as a novel, just a letter. Once I got over my expectation that this was a literary novel, I truly enjoyed the book and came to appreciate the author.

She was born the 19th child in her family and a twin. Her twin died in infancy. They were born on Annunciation Day, 1347, and these birthdays are significant.

I bought this book to continue to increase my “friendship with the Saints.” I learn about the Saints and then ask for their prayers; with knowledge of their lives, challenges, and unique contributions to the Holy Mother Church, I find I feel closer to them and am able to address them as friends. And there they are in the Church-Victorious, waiting to be beckoned if only we knew how important this friendship must be to Our Lord. He sends them as messengers, as examples, and his closest allies to give us lights in this dark world, to show us what His Cross requires, and we, their little clients, work to follow along their well-beaten path.

This Catherine, this incredible Catherine, was claimed by Our Lord at age 7 when she saw Him, and that was the beginning of her journey. A journey of persecution endured courageously even as a child, a journey of illnesses and lack of food and sleep, and a journey again of self-denial. Yet, given the graces to endure, the charity to combat the persecutions, and the faith to endure the deprivations. The author of this book is her confessor, and he’s also a great example.

Catherine couldn’t learn to read; they tried teaching her, but she just wasn’t able to learn. But she prayed, and Our Lord gave her the graces to read anything. We see her again, that it’s often not the most talented that Our Lord chooses; it’s the most committed, the most willing to endure His Cross for His Church, that’s the Catholic Church and none other. Make no mistake: all the Saints were Catholics; they believed and often saw the True Presence, the Holy Eucharist, which is Our Lord, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity veiled yet present.

This is our Faith, the actual Faith.

Catherine wanted to be a cloistered nun; she didn’t want to speak to others, but Our Lord called her to do so, and she obeyed; this is self-denial. Our Lord had her speak to the Pope and advise. She was given graces of wisdom beyond her abilities. She experienced ecstasies so often that her close friends and followers expected it.

The book is written as an apology for Catherine. Blessed Raymond of Capua sometimes addresses the unbelievers or scoffers in the book. Each time he addressed them, I thought, “Not me! I believe everything you’re telling me, Father!” But I guess some doubted Catherine in her time.

She calls the Devil “Pickpocket!” and mocks him as he tries to derail her efforts. She laughs at him, I thought that was funny.

St. Catherine is a Doctor of the Church, and she set straight heretics and converted them.

Here’s a link to do more research on St. Catherine of Siena: https://catholicism.org/saint-catheri...

I love this book.

St. Catherine of Siena, ora pro nobis.