Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena, 1347-1380; born to a wealthy Italian family; she joined a Dominican lay order; at 21, she began preaching; as her influence grew, she devoted much time to peace keeping among the Christian states; her efforts were instrumental in persuading Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome from Avignon as well as in supporting Pope Urban VI during the schism; St. Catherine’s great mystical work, Dialogues, is a Christian classic