The Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena

"Man is placed above all creatures, and not beneath them, and he cannot be satisfied or content except in something greater than himself. Greater than himself there is nothing but Myself, the Eternal God. Therefore I alone can satisfy him, and, because he is deprived of this satisfaction by his guilt, he remains in continual torment and pain. Weeping follows pain, and when he begins to weep, the wind strikes the tree of self-love, which he has made the principle of all his being."These are the words of God the Father from "The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena," a practical and compelling work of Christian mysticism. The editor has modernized the language in this newly revised and edited edition of this timeless work for the benefit of the contemporary reader, while attempting to retain the solemnity of language in the original book. St. Catherine (1347-1380), virgin and Doctor of the Church, dictated the Dialogue during a state of ecstasy while in dialogue with God the Father. In it, the Eternal Father describes, through many different analogies, allegories, and metaphors, the spiritual life of humankind. In his description, God emphasizes, among other things, the importance of cultivating virtue, continually praying, and the need for obedience. Written at a time of spiritual and political upheaval, "The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena" remains relevant even to the present day, and any reader will profit from the sound advice throughout this extraordinary work. Instructive and profound, the Dialogue is considered one of the greatest works of Christian mysticism of all time.Many people do not know that St Catherine was also a stigmatist, bearing the wounds and suffering the passion of Christ for the salvation of souls. She prayed to God to make the wounds invisible so as not to draw attention to herself. Only her confessor, Blessed Raymond of Capua, knew of her sharing in the sufferings of Our Lord until the day the saint died, when the wounds became visible for all to see.This edition of The Dialogue, originally published in 1907 (but now in more modern English in places where it will be helpful for the reader), includes an Introduction on the life and times of the saint as well as an account of her death by an eyewitness.See other excellent classic works published by the editor revised into relatively more modern English by searching "Darrell Wright". Thanks for looking, and also for positive reviews of them. God bless you.