The special relationship Zoe had with her mother was gone, as well as the part of her childhood where she had been spared the agony of suffering and loss, experiences which changed her quickly into an adult. And with an adult's wisdom Zoe did an unusual thing, and that was to adopt The Blessed Mother Mary as her mother. The child, climbing upon a chair to hold a statue of Mary, exclaimed, "Now, dear Blessed Mother, now you will be my mother!" A mother who made sure that the servant of the household came upon this solemn scene, Zoe's consecration to her holy mother to be recorded in the annals of Catherine's sainthood.
In this one act of intimacy was the key to Zoe's sainthood. Maybe it was that the little girl, grownup in grief yet still so needing a mother truly saw Mary as her earthly mother. What child does not want to sit at their mother's knee comforted by her caress? It was Zoe's wish and desire to see The Blessed Mother. It was what she prayed for, certain one day it would be answered, a prayer of the heart of a child who didn't understand that her petition could be seen as an impious assumption. But it is not how her heavenly Mother saw it.
Later in life when the heavenly Mother appeared to Catherine, a Sister of Charity, how did The Blessed Mother appear? Sitting on a chair. Yes, a chair of the same kind that little Zoe once stood upon, asking Mary on that day to be her mother. A mother always knows how to please each of her children, and Mary knew that these details would be pleasing to her daughter's heart. Throughout her life, it was the comfort of Mary's appearances and Her words of assurance that strengthened Catherine to fulfill her difficult, and trying mission.
Yet, Catherine's road to the convent where she first saw her Mother was not an easy one. Bound by love of family and duty, Catherine stayed home to care for her father and sister, and her dying brother. As mistress of the household Catherine performed household tasks with diligence and pride, making time to pray and meditate in the local church in Fains. It was here, while praying she had a dream of an old priest serving Mass on the altar. After Mass he turned to her and said, "My child, it is good to care for the sick. God has designs on you. Do not forget it."
