Did you know that Catherine was born as the 23rd child of Jacopo and Lapa Benincasa and grew up as an intelligent, cheerful and intensely religious person. Catherine disappointed her mother by cutting off her beautiful long hair as a protest against being overly encouraged to improve her appearance in order to attract a husband. Her father finally agreed with her and ordered for her to be left in peace. She was given a room in the house for herself. There she was found in prayer and meditation. She entered the Dominican Third Order at age 18 and spent the next three years in seclusion, prayer and austerity.
