Catherine of Siena: Vision Through a Distant Eye

Theological Studies, June, 1997 by Brigid O'Shea Merriman

Noffke offers a refreshing, cogent perspective on Catherine as a significant interpreter of the events, culture, and spirituality of her era. The eight essays of Part 1 utilize primary sources generously, and cumulatively they articulate the quality and character of Catherine's living witness. One noteworthy chapter examines Catherine's conception of God as Truth and Love -- demonstrated for her above all in Jesus crucified -- and the importance of self-knowledge "that God's gentle truth alone may live in you"(17). Another offers a corrective for readers who may have had the impression that Catherine's integration was easily reached. N. demonstrates that Catherine's maturation toward an integrated, ministerial, ecclesial vision was concomitant with her growth from an earlier, narrow preoccupation with God to an outgoing, ministerial love which nonetheless remained deeply grounded in contemplation. Happily for her readers, N. observes that in the integrating process the strong-willed Catherine often wrestled with God while "knowing that God would win" (66).

When dealing with several related issues of 14th-century economic realities, N. posits some remarkable insights relative to Catherine's teaching on voluntary poverty. One of these in particular, while respecting Catherine as a woman of her time, notes the affinity of her thought with contemporary understandings of solidarity with the poor. The first chapter of Part 2 offers a detailed examination of three interrelated levels of concern for an exploration of her theology and spirituality as a whole; written in extended outline format, it would prove belabored reading for persons unversed in Catherinian studies. A second chapter, containing a wealth of practical material for a visit to sites related to Catherine's world, gives even inveterate armchair travelers a good read. Finally N. provides an outstanding and lengthy bibliography of Catherinian studies in English; some of these entries are annotated. The bibliography alone is worth the price of the book.

A master of detail and of dear expression, N. brings to the present study the same careful scholarship that has been so evident in her earlier analyses and translations of Catherine's Dialogue, Letters, and Prayers.