Only four women in the two thousandyear history of the ChurchThérèse of Lisieux, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, and Hildegard of Bingenhave the distinction of being named Doctors of the Church because of their impact on the faith.
In Set the World on Fire, bestselling author, retreat leader, and spiritual director Vinita Hampton Wright offers a four-week personal retreat that immerses you in the dramatic lives, historical eras, and groundbreaking ideas of these formidable saints and invites you to develop the grit, humility, pragmatism, hope, joy, and vision these women possessed.
Each week of your retreat begins with weekend reading and prayer to introduce the saint and the primary topic of the chapter, followed by five days of morning and evening prayer. Much of the text comes from the saint's own writings. Scripture, reflection questions, and suggestions for action are designed to help you engage personally with the saint and her wisdom for living your faith.
Each week offers a unique and in-depth experience of the saint and her unique gifts to the Church:
Week one: St. Thérèse of Lisieuxthe young Carmelite nun whose autobiography sent ripples across Christendomwill teach you to love God through her Little Way.
Week two: St. Teresa of Avilaa Carmelite who spent years reforming her order and gave to the world a spiritual masterpiece called The Interior Castlewill instruct you in trusting your personal experience of God.
Week three: St. Catherine of Sienaa Third-Order Dominican who poured out her life for people in need but also gave astute, sharp direction to Church leaderswill guide you to live every moment with courage through the love of truth.
Week four: St. Hildegard of Bingena Benedictine abbess whose spiritual visions led to books, poetry, music, art, and early scientific discoverywill show you how to engage life with passion and creativity.
Each woman's experience of God, understanding of spirituality, and timeless wisdom gained her the title Doctor of the Church, which indicates that through her life, research, study, and writing, she has deepened and advanced the faith.