Right after Catherine’s death, the people of Siena wanted to possess the crucifix that had made her a perfect icon of Christ’s love; after many attempts, the Confraternity devoted to her was successful, and in 1565 the wooden cross was brought to Siena and placed in the Kitchen Oratory. As time passed, however, it began to be thought that a more fitting setting should be found for it, big enough to permit it to be venerated properly.
All’indomani della morte di Caterina, i senesi desiderarono avere quel crocifisso che l’aveva resa perfetta icona dell’amore di Cristo; dopo molti tentativi, l’impresa riuscì alla Confraternita dedicata alla Santa e nel 1565 la croce lignea venne portata a Siena e collocata nell’Oratorio della Cucina. Col passare del tempo, tuttavia, si cominciò a pensare ad un ambiente più ampio che ne favorisse la venerazione.