Catherine of Siena by John Gerlach, OP

Saint Catherine of Siena, honored among the Doctors of the Church since 1970, was a significant force in late fourteenth-century Church and society. As a small child Catherine adopted a fierce asceticism, determined never to marry so that she might belong entirely to God. She eventually won entry into the lay Third Order of Saint Dominic and lived in almost total seclusion in her parents' home until, when she was about 20 years old, her intense and honest prayer led her to the realization that her love for God could no longer be divorced from service to others.

Catherine ministered at first to the poor and sick of the city, but her influence soon broadened to civic and ecclesiastical spheres as the power of her personality and her gift for conciliation were recognized. In her writings and preaching, until her death at the age of 33 in 1380, she fearlessly challenged the Church and the Dominican Order to a renewed fidelity to their mission. In a disjointed time of want, catastrophe, and political contention, she proclaimed the difficult truth that love for God is inseparable from justice and compassion.

We Racine Dominicans are proud to claim Catherine of Siena as our special patron.

Racine Dominican Suzanne Noffke, an internationally recognized Catherinian scholar, writer and lecturer, has published translations of the works of Catherine, as well as numerous articles and a book of essays on Catherine's life and thought. She has also prepared a selective bibliography of recommended works which you may find useful.

For more information about Catherine of Siena see the following pages in this section:

Catherine's Dialogue: http://www.racinedominicans.org/pages/cath_dia.cfm#138
Catherine's Letters: http://www.racinedominicans.org/pages/cath_let.cfm
Catherine's Prayers: http://www.racinedominicans.org/pages/cath_pr.cfm
Bibliography: http://www.racinedominicans.org/site_uploads/uploads/Bibliography2008-01.pdf