The Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena

Description

The Dialogue of Divine Providence' is a dialogue between a soul who "rises up" to God and God himself, and recorded between 1377 and 1378 by members of her circle.

¶8.109 on "ministers of the Sun" and how me must treat bad clergy

I read her Dialogo in Italy June 2018 and am astounded by how Dominican she is! Some memorable themes/phrases: Verità , love of God vs. self-love, knowing oneself, the wisdom of poverty and trusting in Divine Providence, usury (which the other Siennese, San Bernardino, also condemned), "croce del dimonio" that the mondani fruitlessly carry, how God never leaves holy desires (sancti desidèri) unfulfilled (God is the "adempitore de’ sancti desidèri "), and that "molto gli piace chi dimanda e bussa a la porta de la sua Veritá con perseveranzia " ("He really likes it when one asks and knocks at the door of his Truth with perseverance").

Her Treatise on Obedience (to the Truth and Commandments) is relevant today for those who cannot find a religious order with an abbot they can trust to submit to. St. Catherine wanted to be a Dominican sister under a Mother Superior, but she and the other sisters rejected her from the convent, so she lived in her father's house her whole life; this gives her a unique perspective on obedience for us today, who cannot find orthodox superiors to submit to.