Blessed Raymond of Capua was born at Capua, Italy in 1330. Known as the second founder of the Dominican order, he became prior of the Dominican house in Rome after attending the University of Bologna. He became both friend and spiritual director to St. Catherine of Siena from 1376, and eventually became her closest advisor. After laboring to bring assistance and comfort to the victims of a plague that struck Siena, he caught the disease himself and was nursed back to health by St. Catherine. He was elected head of the Dominican order after her death, and died at Nuremnberg. Bishop Raymond is the author of two biographies on Catherine of Siena and St. Agnes of Montepulciano. His feast is celebrated on October 5.