Page "Catherine of Siena" Paragraph 5

A vision of St. Dominic strengthened her, though, but her wish to join his Order was no comfort to Lapa, who took her daughter with her to the baths in Bagno Vignoni to improve her health.

Soon she fell seriously ill with violent rash, fever and pain, which conveniently made her mother accept her wish to join the " Mantellate ", the local association of Dominican tertiary Sisters.

Lapa went to the Sisters of the Order and persuaded them to take in her daughter.

Within days, Catherine seemed entirely restored, rose from bed and donned the black and white habit of the Third Order of St. Dominic.

As a tertiary, she lived outside the convent, at home with her family like before.

The Mantellate taught Catherine how to read, and she lived in almost total silence and solitude in the family home.

Her custom of giving away food and clothing without asking anyone's permission cost her family significantly but she demanded nothing for herself.

By staying in their midst, she could live out her rejection of them more strongly.

She did not want their food, referring to the table laid for her in Heaven with her real family.