Setting the World on Fire
The Brief, Astonishing Life of St. Catherine of Siena
-
- $11.99
-
- $11.99
Publisher Description
One of only two patron saints of Italy, the other being St. Francis of Assisi, St. Catherine was ahead of her time. As a political powerhouse in late 14th century Europe, a time of war, social unrest and one of the worst natural disasters of all time--the plague, she worked for peace between Christians while campaigning for a holy crusade against Muslims. She was illiterate but grew into a great writer by dictating to assistants. She was frail and punished herself mercilessly, often starving herself, while offering moral guidance and inspiration to kings, queens and popes.
It's easy to see why feminists through the years have sought to claim the patronage of St. Catherine. From her refusal to marry to her assertion that her physical appearance was of no importance, the famous Saint is ripe for modern interpretation. She was a peacemaker during Siena's revolution of 1368, sometimes addressing thousands of people in squares and streets; she convinced Pope Gregory XI to return the papacy to Rome at a time when the Catholic Church was unraveling.
How did this girl, the second-youngest of 25 children of a middle-class dyer, grow to become one of the most beloved spiritual figures of all time, a theological giant to rank alongside the likes of Thomas Aquinas? In Setting the World on Fire, Emling gives an intimate portrayal of this fascinating and revolutionary woman.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this insightful biography, Huffington Post senior editor Emling explores the humble powerhouse St. Catherine of Sienna. This daughter of a dyer, now one of two patron saints of Italy, was a study in contradictions. Though illiterate, she would become a respected writer. Though modest in appearance and frail, she was called on by kings, queens, and popes for guidance and for her influence among the people. Catherine's life in 14th-century Europe was filled with war and heavily influenced by the specter of the plague. Emling details Catherine's defiance of her parents' wish that she marry, her various mystical visions and experiences, her obsession with Christ's suffering and blood, her frankness with political and spiritual leaders who sought her out, and her campaign to unite Christians while calling for a holy crusade against Muslims. While at times the historical background can feel a bit long, Emling's portrait of St. Catherine's brief life and its tremendous influence in Italy and around the world is engaging and enlightening.