The life of St. Catherine of Siena: [the classic on her life and accomplishments as recorded by her spiritual director]

Catherine's parents -- Catherine's birth and infancy -- Catherine makes a vow of virginity -- Bitter struggles -- Catherine's victory -- Catherine's penances and Lapa's persecutions -- Catherine takes the habit of St. Dominic -- Sisters of Penance of St. Dominic -- Wonderful progress in the way of God -- Catherine's wisdom -- Closeness of Catherine's relationship with the saviour -- Mystical marriage -- Catherine's divine mission -- Beginnings of Catherine's public life -- Charity towards the poor -- Charity towards the infirm -- How Catherine lived -- Ecstasies and revelations -- Saviour of souls -- Incomparable doer of good -- Devil's enemy -- Prophetess -- Even inanimate things obeyed Catherine -- Love of the holy sacrament -- Marvellous ambassadress -- Martyr -- For Christ alone -- Virgin's spiritual testament and passing -- Miracles -- Epilogue: Catherine's patience. Cover Page 2 Copyright Page 3 THE LIFE OF ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA 4 CONTENTS 5 INTRODUCTION 8 PART ONE 11 CHAPTER ONE: Catherine’s Parents 12 CHAPTER TWO: Catherine’s Birth and Infancy 14 CHAPTER THREE: Catherine Makes a Vow of Virginity 19 CHAPTER FOUR: Bitter Struggles 23 CHAPTER FIVE: Catherine’s Victory 29 CHAPTER SIX: Catherine’s Penances and Lapa’s Persecutions 32 CHAPTER SEVEN: Catherine Takes the Habit of St. Dominic 37 CHAPTER EIGHT: The Sisters of Penance of St. Dominic 41 CHAPTER NINE: Wonderful Progress in the Way of God 43 CHAPTER TEN: Catherine’s Wisdom 49 CHAPTER ELEVEN: The Closeness of Catherine’s Relationship with the Saviour 55 CHAPTER TWELVE: The Mystical Marriage 61 PART TWO 63 CHAPTER ONE: Catherine’s Divine Mission 64 CHAPTER TWO: Beginning of Catherine’s Public Life 69 CHAPTER THREE: Charity Towards the Poor 73 CHAPTER FOUR: Charity Towards the Infirm 80 CHAPTER FIVE: How Catherine Lived 91 CHAPTER SIX: Ecstasies and Revelations 99 CHAPTER SEVEN: Saviour of Souls 117 CHAPTER EIGHT: An Incomparable Doer of Good 129 CHAPTER NINE: The Devil’s Enemy 141 CHAPTER TEN: Prophetess 146 CHAPTER ELEVEN: Even Inanimate Things Obeyed Catherine 156 CHAPTER TWELVE: Love of the Holy Sacrament 164 PART THREE 174 CHAPTER ONE: The Marvellous Ambassadress 175 CHAPTER TWO: The Martyr 182 CHAPTER THREE: For Christ Alone 185 CHAPTER FOUR: The Virgin’s Spiritual Testament and Passing 191 CHAPTER FIVE: The Miracles 200 CHAPTER SIX: Epilogue: Catherine’s Patience 206 “Know, sweetest daughter,” He said, ‘that in the time to come your earthly pilgrimagewill be distinguished by such marvellous new gifts from me that the hearts of ignorantcarnal men will be amazed and incredulous . . . But you must not be anxious or afraid, for Ishall be always with you, and I shall free your soul from the evil tongues and the lips thatutter lies. Carry out undauntedly whatever the Spirit prompts you to do, for through you Ishall snatch many souls from the jaws of hell and by my grace transport them to thekingdom of heaven.”—Our Lord to St. Catherine, pages 150–151 This is the classic life of St Catherine by her spiritual director. He tells of her only what he experienced firsthand, or of what he learned firsthand from her mother, her sisters, her family members and friends. An incredible life, told simply and straightforwardly, without embellishment and without dodging her many miracles, and miraculous conversions. This book puts you squarely in the presence of one of Holy Mother Church's greatest saints. 368 pp Impr.