The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena, Seraphic Virgin and Doctor of Unity Paperback – September 18, 2009

I purchased and read this book. As an author fluent in English and Italian, I wish to note in this translation several errors - theological and typographical. While I applaud the translator of this work for giving us in English such a profound theological revelation from God the Father, I also acknowledge that the same translator may not have intended the following inaccuracies that merit particular attention for the sake of the reader:p. 54: the incorrect translated English word is "delight", whereas the original Italian word used by St. Catherine is "beatitude" (beatitudine). 'Delight' does not imply the 'beatitude' of the beatific vision addressed on this page.p. 60: the incorrect translated English word is "bliss", whereas the original Italian word used by St. Catherine is again "beatitude" (beatitudine).p. 61: the incorrect translated English word is "mentally", whereas the original Italian word used by St. Catherine is "spiritually" (spiritualmente). The mind and the spirit are not one and the same, but the mind (intellect), the memory and the will are traditionally and in Catherine's writings referred to as the three powers of the human soul/spirit.p. 65: the incorrect translated English expression is "Sea Pacific" (used in the upper case), whereas the original Italian expression used by Catherine of Siena is "peaceful sea" (mare pacifico). Inasmuch as this expression 'pacific sea' is here made in reference to God the Father to emphasize his expansive and endless peacefulness, such an expression finds an odd rendering with the geographical expression 'Sea Pacific'.p. 79: the incorrect translated English word is "tale", whereas the original Italian word used by St. Catherine is "task" (compito). The English translator (however unintentionally) here refers to Sacred Scripture as a "tale". This same error is repeated two more times on p. 80.p. 82: an entire sentence is missing in English and that is contained in the original Italian written by Catherine of Siena (cf. 2nd-last line from the top paragraph).p. 82: the incorrect translated English expression is "evil emotions", whereas the original Italian expression used by St. Catherine is "intimate movements" (movimenti intimi); it renders evil that which God considers intimate.

The Dialogue is a difficult read, especially for those who've never sought (or heard about) their true purpose in life: Union with God. That said: get it, read it slowly and carefully and make it a keeper. If it turns out to be too much read on your first attempt, put it down and take up other, less difficult books on the subject. Two classics that are also must-haves: The Story of A Soul, The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux and How to Find God and Discover Your True Self in the Process by Dom Hubert van Zeller. After reading these, you should be ready for The Dialogue: a must if you seek to grow in faith and love of God and neighbor.

Be of good cheer because this book is not only wonderous. It is a grace to be received with courtesy and love. Filled with true virtue and wisdom. This is a wonderful edition. I am very pleased with it. If you're on the cusp, don't be! If you've never read it, you must! Even if you don't by it. Find it online and read it there. But pursue it. For it is a great feat of God's love, and mighty wisdom!!

The spiritual classic from a Doctor of the Church is well worth studying. Once you get past the cover art, you'll find why St. Catherine was the advisor to Popes - wonderfully profound yet deceptively simple.

For those looking to deepen their spiritual journey, this book is amazing! One I will keep and revisit! Praise God for these amazing words.

Unable to return.Donot purchase unless you are extremely advanced in Theology and Doctrines regarding this book.Sadly I am not.I attempted to return this shortly after realizing the err.It arrived today April 30 over a week out.The amazon info said coming May1.Great that if someone wanted it it arrived however having tried to reverse the err and not being successful has me frustrated.

This is a wonderful reading! Nobody sane could doubt the existence of God after reading St. Catherine's Dialogue. The book is in great print size and is easy to handle while reading.

Beautiful, lovely

I, too, bought this book but I should have forked out the extra money to buy the translation by Suzanne Noffke: "Catherine of Siena : The Dialogue (Classics of Western Spirituality)" which gives many invaluable explanations of textual difficulties.Suzanne Noffke’s book runs so 398 pages, compared to only 176 for this book.

There are few more penetrating or insightful analyses of the dynamics of Christian Mysticism than this. The prose, given its medieval Italian style, can be dense and difficult to understand, but it is worth persevering with...