There was, near the House of Mercy, a very pious woman, who wore, if I remember rightly, the habit of the Sisters of Penance of St. Dominic. In her admiration of Catharine's virtues, she desired to consecrate herself to her service; she followed her counsels with docility, was edified by her examples, and entertained towards her sentiments of profound veneration. It happened one day, that this woman being at home, the floor gave way beneath her, and dragged her downward in its descent; she was covered with contusions; her whole body was one general wound. The neighbors assembled in all haste, to draw her from amidst the fallen stones and timbers; they thought her killed. However, thanks be to God, they were able to remove her to her bed, where by degrees her consciousness returned; but it was to suffer horribly. The pain drew from her both tears and shrieks, and she detailed what she was enduring to those who surrounded her. Medical aid was obtained, and all was done for her that was possible; yet the poor woman could not move, and suffered a martyrdom in every limb.
As soon as Catherine heard it, she was filled with compassion for one who was her Sister, and who had made herself her servant. She went immediately to visit her, and exhorted her to patience by devout instruction. When she saw her suffering so excessively, she began to touch, (as though she would administer relief, ) the places of which she complained; the patient willingly consented because she knew that those blessed hands could not fail of doing her good. As soon as Catherine touched any place, its pain vanished: hence the sick woman showed her the other parts that were tormented so that she might apply the same remedy, and Cathanne lent herself to this
