CatherineofSienaisoneofthemostintriguingandexplosivesaintsinChurchhistory.Ayounglaywomanwithalmostnoeducation,shebecamerenownedforherintensemysticalexperiences,inspiredpreaching,andscathingcriticismofcorruptpoliticalandecclesialauthorities.SheisevenrecognizedtodayasaDoctoroftheChurch--theonlylaypersontoeverreceivethetitle--yetcomesacrosstousmoreasanapostlethananintellectual.HerworkislikeAquinas’Summasetonfire.ButforallthefascinationwithCatherine,thedistinguishingfeatureofherlifehasreceivedsurprisinglylittleattention:herpreoccupationwithfreedom.Catherinehadakeensenseofthe“unspeakablycrazy“loveofGodandtheliberatingpowerofhismercy.Butshealsoknewtheterriblebondageofsin--andthenecessityoffacingourowninnerdarknessifwearetoovercomeit.Shehadapassionforleadingthoseenslavedbyfearandoppressiontoself-knowledgeinGod--andultimately,totruefreedom.Itisthis“fire“thatinflamesalmosteverypageshewrites.Inthisprofoundbook,theIrishDominicanpoetandwriterFr.PaulMurraydrawsusintothefireofthisgreatmystic’sloveforGodandhumanity,readingherlifeandteachingnotonlyinlightofDominicanspirituality,butalsothewritingsofRenaissancephilosopherGiovanniPicodellaMirandolaandthemodernpsychologistCarlJung.Whatresultsisaportraitofapreacheroffreedomwhospeakstous,eventoday,withcompellingauthority.
