


Rick and Anna Piperato look at the rebellious nature of many women saints, and further explore the 14th-century life of Catherine of Siena, who is considered the first female doctor of the Catholic Church. The Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics is located midway between Dayton, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.Peter examines the role of religious relics in his book " Rag and Bone.".Peter Manseau is a curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.An American traveler from Michigan posts photos from the crypt of Santa Lucia Filippini in Montefiascone, Italy, on her Flicker account.The Via Francigena has a website to help with planning and detours along the 3000-km pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome.

" A Pilgrimage to Eternity" by Tim Egan details his journey from Canterbury to Rome along the ancient Via Francigena pilgrim trail.Art historian Anna Piperato leads tours of Siena in Tuscany.Padre Pio is known for his claim of having signs of the stigmata on his body.Siena's Saint Catherine is the patron saint of Italy and of Europe.
