Catherine was born in Siena, Italy in 1347, the year of the Great Plague. From a large family of twenty-five children, Catherine was a twin, but her sister did not survive infancy. Even as a child, Catherine's deep devotion to God was evident, and at the age of seven, she experienced a vision of Jesus, surrounded by saints. This vision solidified her desire to dedicate her life to God, a desire her parents initially resisted, hoping she would marry. In her determination, Catherine cut off her hair and fasted, demonstrating her commitment to a spiritual life over marriage. Her father, witnessing a dove above her head as she prayed, eventually relented and allowed her to pursue her vocation, providing her with a room for prayer and solitude. Catherine chose not to enter a convent but became a Dominican tertiary, allowing her to live in the world while following the spirit of a religious order. She spent three years in seclusion and intense prayer, deepening her communion with God. This period of contemplation was a crucial foundation for her later activism and service. She experienced what she described as a "Mystical Marriage" with Jesus, and from that point, she began serving the poor, the sick, and those imprisoned, gaining followers who were inspired by her devotion and wisdom. Catherine became a powerful force for change within the Church, which was experiencing a period of significant upheaval, including the relocation of the papacy to Avignon, France. She fearlessly addressed Church and State officials through her hundreds of letters and direct conversations, urging them to reform and advocating for the return of the papacy to Rome. Her determination and strong moral compass earned her respect, even from those who opposed her. Although she encountered persecution and slander, she was eventually cleared of all charges against her at the Dominican General Chapter of 1374. Catherine's personal influence was such that she was instrumental in persuading Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome in 1376. She continued to offer counsel to Pope Urban VI during the Western Schism, advocating for the unity of the Church. Her life of intense penance, including severe fasting, eventually took a toll on her health. Catherine died in Rome at the age of 33, after suffering a stroke. She left behind a legacy of transformative work, reflected in her numerous letters and her major spiritual work, The Dialogue. In 1970, Pope Paul VI declared her a Doctor of the Church, recognizing her profound insights into the spiritual life and her impactful teachings.