Raymond's mother died soon after their return to Italy but before they reached Piacenza. At Piacenza Raymond's relatives persuaded him to marry, which he did, and he returned to shoemaking to support his family.Life, 18. His wife he "instructed like a sister, loved like a sister, and venerated like a mother". In his leisure hours, his biographer writes, he conversed with religious men and became wise enough to preach, on holidays, in houses and workshops. His fame soon grew and people flocked to hear him. His biographer refers to him as their "spiritual leader", though he notes that Raymond refused to contravene canon law by preaching publicly.Life, 20. Instead, he urged those of his listeners who wanted more to speak with a priest or a monk.Vauchez 1993, 64.
