Siena, Italy
Following St. Catherine of Siena & the Lay Dominican Way
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In Siena, Joy is reminded that joy and faith are not separate pursuits, but practices that deepen one another. Drawn to the path of Saint Catherine of Siena and the Lay Dominican way of life, Joy approaches her time here through unhurried devotion—a rhythm shaped by prayer, presence, and attentiveness to the ordinary. Rather than seeking grand gestures, she is guided by an apostolate of presence: listening more than speaking, moving gently through each day, and allowing silence and soft light to do their quiet work.
Place & Practice
Her days unfold from a humble studio set within the surrounding countryside, where stillness creates space for reflection and clarity. Morning light filters in slowly, bells mark the passage of time, and prayer is woven naturally into the cadence of daily life. Siena offers Joy not an escape, but a return—to simplicity, intention, and a way of being that values depth over speed and devotion over distraction.
Creative Life in Siena
This slower pace leaves room for creativity to surface organically. Joy’s work here is shaped by the textures of stone and plaster, the geometry of centuries-old architecture, and the botanical life that grows freely along pathways and fields. Forms, colors, and materials gathered from daily observation become the starting point for new explorations—less about production, more about noticing. In this environment, creativity becomes a quiet response to place, guided by patience, curiosity, and intention.
Garments of Devotion
As part of her spiritual devotion and exploration, Joy also sews habits—simple, functional garments traditionally worn within Dominican life. For Joy, the act of sewing is both prayerful and practical: a way of engaging the body in devotion while honoring the humility, purpose, and care embedded in these garments. Working with fabric, form, and repetition becomes a contemplative practice, allowing her to reflect on how clothing can support a life of presence rather than distinction. In this way, sewing habits becomes an extension of her Dominican path—where making, prayer, and daily life are woven together through attention and intention. For those who find joy in sewing and working with their hands, Joy offers opportunities to learn more about the art of making habits.
Drawn to the simplicity and beauty found in everyday surroundings, these moments reflect how place quietly shapes the way life is lived and seen.
Interested in a private retreat?
If this way of living—rooted in presence, creativity, and unhurried attention—feels like a quiet calling, Joy invites others to join her for a private retreat in Italy. Designed as an intimate experience, the retreat offers space to slow down, create, reflect, and engage with place in a meaningful way, guided by daily rhythms of art, conversation, and simple devotion. It is an invitation to step out of routine and into a way of living shaped by beauty, intention, and care.