Catherine of Siena

Born in Siena in 1347, Catherine fought her parents' plans for her and joined the mantellates, a group of pious women devoted to Dominican spirituality. Her influence grew unusual weight: in 1376, her advocacy helped persuade Pope Gregory XI to leave Avignon for Rome, and he sent her to negotiate peace with Florence. After Gregory's death in 1378, the Great Schism fractured the Church, and Catherine went to Rome to defend Pope Urban VI, writing to princes and cardinals to shore up obedience. Between 1377 and 1378 she dictated The Dialogue of Divine Providence; her hundreds of letters and praye…