Catherine of Siena

1347 - Born on March 25th in Siena, Tuscany. Dominican tertiary, mystic, and patron saint of Italy who played a major role in returning the papacy from Avignon to Rome.

1363 - Catherine became a tertiary (a member of a monastic third order who takes simple vows and may remain outside a convent or monastery) of the Dominican order, joining the Sisters of Penitence of St. Dominic in Siena.

1736 - When the rebellious city of Florence was placed under an interdict by Pope Gregory XI, Catherine determined to take public action for peace within the church and Italy and to encourage a crusade against the Muslims. She went as an unofficial mediator to Avignon with her confessor and biographer Raymond of Capua. Her mission failed, and she was virtually ignored by the Pope, but while at Avignon she promoted her plans for a crusade.

         - Catherine left for Tuscany the day after Gregory set out for Rome.

1377 - She played a major role in returning the papacy from Avignon to Rome.

1378 - Went to Florence and was there during the Ciompi Revolt in June. After a short final stay in Siena, during which she completed her Dialogo (begun the previous year), she went to Rome in November, probably at the invitation of Pope Urban VI, whom she helped in reorganizing the church.

1380 - Died on April 29th in Rome.

1707-1721 - The record of her ecstatic experiences in the Dialogo illustrates her doctrine of the “inner cell” of the knowledge of God and of self into which she withdrew. A complete edition of Catherine's works, together with her biography by Raymond, was published in Siena.

1970 - She was declared the doctor of the church.