jjares reviewed Catholic Legends: The Life and Legacy of St. Catherine of Siena on + 3270 more book reviews
St. Catherine of Siena is one of the two patron saints of Italy (the other is St. Francis of Assisi). She is also one of six patron saints of Europe (St Benedict of Nursia {he created the monasteries of Europe under Benedictine Rule}, St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross {born Edith Stein}, and Sts. Cyril & Methodius of Greece, are the other five).
Being in such hallowed company shows the reverence people hold for St. Catherine of Siena. She is considered to be one of the most influential women in the Catholic Church. Catherine is even a Doctor of the Church (a rare distinction).
Much of Catherine's life has been documented by her confessors (priests who listened to her sins in the confessional). Raymond of Capua wrote about her to assist in promoting Catherine to be canonized (as a saint). People who lived during the time of Catherine totally believed in the truth of his accounts.
The author serves a valuable service by explaining the mores of the times in which Catherine lived; thus explaining things that would be almost impossible to modern readers. I was surprised that nothing was explained about Catherine's stigmata.
Being in such hallowed company shows the reverence people hold for St. Catherine of Siena. She is considered to be one of the most influential women in the Catholic Church. Catherine is even a Doctor of the Church (a rare distinction).
Much of Catherine's life has been documented by her confessors (priests who listened to her sins in the confessional). Raymond of Capua wrote about her to assist in promoting Catherine to be canonized (as a saint). People who lived during the time of Catherine totally believed in the truth of his accounts.
The author serves a valuable service by explaining the mores of the times in which Catherine lived; thus explaining things that would be almost impossible to modern readers. I was surprised that nothing was explained about Catherine's stigmata.
