St. Catherine of Siena and Her Times

by Margaret Roberts

St. Catherine of Siena and Her Times tells the moving tale of Catherine, whose call to live a cloistered life of prayer and penance was trumped not only by the social needs of her day (poverty, plague) but by the explicit orders of the Pope, who, hearing of her remarkable powers of reconciliation of enemies, called her out of obscurity to mediate between the warring parties, sometimes even at the risk to her life.

Genres: Biography, Catholic, History

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2013

About the author

1833-1919

Reviews

[Katheryn Fitzpatrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A saint for women

Catherine was ahead of her times in her courageous confidence, speaking her mind and having great influence on both men and women of the age in which she lived her short life. I found this book challenging to follow in its details, yet came away with a better understanding of how she lived and gave herself up entirely to God, living out her faith, not just professing it.

[Katarzyna Balutowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably the best description of the chaos of the Avignon Papacy and subsequent clash of popes I have ever found. It gives you a good image of the popes, cardinals, women, Roman populace, and French nationalists involved. However the history of Saint Catherine was supremely lacking. This is more of a history of the world around the saint then about her. The author focuses on Siena, Florence, Avignon, and Rome. She also spends a heavy amount of time describing monks, confessors, priests, and other religious groups who followed her at that time. She also talks a lot about Dante and how he was influenced by her legacy. I know I better understand the world the Saint lived in, I hardly feel the book influenced my understanding of who Catherine was. Also the first few chapters were a snooze fest. 😴 Not engaging at all.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Catherine of Siena. This book was a tough read.