Page "Catherine of Siena" Paragraph 3

Her older sister Bonaventura died in childbirth.

Within a year, the younger sister named Giovanna also died.

While tormented with sorrow, sixteen-year-old Catherine was now faced with her parents ' wish that she marry Bonaventura's widower.

Absolutely opposed to this, she started a massive fast, something she had learnt from Bonaventura, whose husband had not been considerate in the least.

Bonaventura had changed his attitude by refusing to eat until he showed better manners.

This had taught Catherine the power of fasting in close relationships.

She claimed to feel " jubilant " when cutting off her long hair.