Page:Lifeofsaintcatha.djvu/44

 One day while the servant of Jesus Christ was praying fervently in her brother's room; the door being open, because her parents had forbidden her to shut it; her father entered to take something that he needed in the absence of his son. While looking about, he saw his daughter who was kneeling in one corner of the chamber, and having a snow-white dove reposing on her head; at his approach it fled, and seemed to disappear through the window: he enquired of his daughter what dove that was that just flew away; she replied that she had not seen a dove or any other bird in her room. This occurrence filled him with astonishment, and awakened serious reflections in his mind.

Catharine felt an increasing desire to accomplish a project which she had entertained indeed from her infancy; namely to be clothed with the habit of the order founded by the illustrious St. Dominic, hoping she could thus more easily accomplish her holy vow. She prayed continually to God through the intercession of that saint, who had displayed such an impassioned zeal for the salvation of souls. Our Lord, seeing this young and generous athlete combating in the arena, encouraged her by the following vision. During her sleep, she seemed to behold all the Founders of the various orders, and among them St. Dominic, whom she recognized by a lily of dazzling brightness which he bore in his hand, and which was burning without being consumed. They each and all engaged her to select an order, so as to serve God in higher perfection; she turned towards St Dominic whom she saw advancing towards her and presenting her with a habit of the Sisters of Penance of St. Dominic, who are very numerous in Sienna. He addressed her in the following consoling words: "Daughter, be of good