From the earliest days of the Church through modern times, women have always played a unique and critical role in the story of Christianity. Jesus Christ called both men and women to be his disciples, and countless women in Church history have stood out for the holiness of their lives and the wealth of their teaching.
In each chapter, derived from catechesis given during his weekly general audiences from September 2010 to April 2011, Pope Benedict XVI expertly and thoughtfully explores the life stories and writings of these seventeen holy women:
Saint Hildegard of Bingen
Saint Clare of Assisi
Saint Matilda of Hackeborn
Saint Gertrude the Great
Blessed Angela of Foligno
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
Saint Bridget of Sweden
Marguerite d’Oingt
Saint Juliana of Cornillon
Saint Catherine of Siena
Julian of Norwich
Saint Veronica Giuliani
Saint Catherine of Bologna
Saint Catherine of Genoa
Saint Joan of Arc
Saint Teresa of Ávila
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
The remarkable examples of the feminine genius in Holy Women are still relevant today. These models of prayer, faith, and good works will help you gain a fuller understanding of Church history and serve as guides on your faith journey.