St. Catherine of Siena (1347 - 1380) was an Italian mystic, who was part of the Dominican order.

She was canonized in 1461, and is recognized as a Doctor of the Church. She was born in Siena, Italy, and early on wanted to devote herself solely to God as a nun, although this was against the will of her parents.

She joined a group of pious women and soon became famous for mystical phenomena, such as an invisible stigmata, and a mystical marriage to Jesus Christ. She would come play a pivotal role in Pope Gregory XI's (d.

1378) decision to move the papacy from Avignon back to Rome. Through her numerous letters sent to princes and cardinals she was able to promote obedience to Pope Urban VI, whom she called the "vessel of the Church.

" These letters have become famous for providing a window into the spiritual counsel of one of the most celebrated female saints in the Catholic church. This work is a reproduction of "Saint Catherine of Siena as seen in her letters," by Catharine Benincasa, translated by Vida D.

Scudder. J.

M Dent and Co. : New York: E.

P Dutton and Co. , 1905.

This work has been illustrated with artwork of the saint from the Renaissance period. .