This vision walked with her throughout her life, coming to the fore in a special way in Combermere, Ontario. Here she implemented the dream which she called, "The Vision on the Mountain."

She says, "It seemed to me that God placed Madonna House on a mountain top—the better to see the whole perspective of the battle between men and God, good and evil. Down below, there in the valley, men were building another Tower of Babel. Here on the mountain top, we of Madonna House are called to build a Community of Love."

To this Community of Love have come persons from every walk of life and every background. All gather to live the Gospel, each in their own way together forming a light for those in the valley.

"Together they form a little candle, shining in the terrible darkness that is becoming darker every day. A little candle in the darkness is a great light for those who abide in darkness….

It seemed to me that’s what God wanted of Madonna House: to be that little candle. It seemed to me that this was God’s answer to the chaos that man has created within himself…"

Catherine dreamt of artists coming to dwell on the mountain. Through their art they would console, heal, bring light, serve, and in some way die for the ones in the valley. Donna Surprenant was one of those artists.

[See some of Donna Surprenant’s paintings.]