# Life of Saint Catharine of Sienna/Part 2

SECOND PART
Chapter I
Our Lord Commands Catharine To Employ Herself For The Good Of Her Neighbor.
Our blessed Lord, had lavished on his favorite Spouse the sweetness of his grace. He had exercised her soul in combat and in victory; he had bestowed on her admirable instructions and enriched her with superior virtues. So shining a light was not destined to remain hidden, but to display its rays abroad. The spouse was about to return with interest the talents that the Lord had entrusted to her: "open to me" was said to her, open to me, by thy zeal, the door of souls, so that I may enter; open the way by which my sheep will go to seek pasture. Open to me, for my honor, the celestial treasure of truth and of grace, so as to shed it upon the faithful. " Open to me, my sister," by conformity of nature; my friend, by interior charity, my dove, by simplicity of spirit; my immaculate one, by purity of soul and body. And Catherine responded to this call, yet, she often acknowledged to me that every time that our Lord ordered her to quit her cell and converse with men, she experienced so lively a sorrow, that it seemed to her, her heart must break.
After the mystic alliance that our Lord deigned to contract with Catherine, he gradually introduced her to ​the "active life." He did not, however, deprive her of his heavenly communications, but on the contrary augmented them, so as to lead her to a higher degree of perfection. Frequently in his apparitions, after speaking to her of his Kingdom, and revealing to her some of its secrets, after having read or recited psalms with her, he added: "Go quickly, this is the hour of repast, thy parents are going to take their places at the table, thou wilt stay there with them; and then thou wilt return to me." At these words, Catherine would break forth into sobs: " If I have offended thy Majesty, behold my wretched body, punish it immediately, I cheerfully accept every thing; but spare me the grief of being separated from thee, even for one instant, my beloved I What will I do at table if thou know full well that I partake of a food that those whom thou command me to seek, know not. Is it in bread only that man finds strength ? do not the words that issue from thy mouth better impart vigor and energy to the soul of the pilgrim ? Thou know far better than I, that I fled the society of creatures to find thee, my Lord and my God. And now that I have obtained thy grace, notwithstanding my unworthiness, must I resign this inestimable treasure, to mingle anew in worldly affairs, to fall again into my former ignorance and perchance become odious to thee ? Ah no, no, thy infinite goodness will never command any thing which can separate the soul from thee." Sobs would interrupt her, and she would cast herself at our Lord's feet, in hopes of winning his consent to remain. Then our Lord, would speak, I do not say in these very words, but in this meaning: "Calm thyself, beloved daughter, thou must accomplish all justice, and cause my grace to fructify in thee and to others far from being desirous of separating from ​thee, I desire to become more closely united to thee by charity towards the neighbor. Thou know that my love has two commandments; to love me, and to love thy neighbor, now I wish thee to observe these two commandments. Forget not that in thy youth, zeal for souls, which I had placed and developed in thy heart, went so far as to give thee the idea of disguising thyself so as to become a Friar Preacher, and labor for the conversion of souls. Why, therefore, wonder and complain that I conduct thee where thou desires to go, and for which thou assumed the habit of St. Dominic, that zealous founder of an order for promoting the salvation of souls." Then Catherine said, " Lord not my will but thine be done, I am only darkness and thou are all light; I am nothingness and thou are; I am ignorance and thou are the wisdom of the Father; but. Lord, suffer me to inquire how I shall execute thy commands — my sex presents an obstacle, for women have no authority over men, and propriety prevents frequent relations with them." Our Lord answered, like the Archangel Gabriel, that all things are possible with God! "Am I not he who formed both man and woman ? my spirit breathes where it will; to me there is no difference of sex or condition, it is as easy for me to create an Angel as the lowest insect, and a worm of the earth as a new firmament; it is written of me, that I do what I will, (Ps. cxiii. 3) and naught that the mind can conceive is impossible to me. I know it is humility and not a disobedient spirit that prompts thee to speak thus, and now I wish thee to know that in this age, the pride of men has become so great, especially among such as believe themselves to be learned and discreet, that my justice can no longer endure them, and is about to confound them by a just judgment; but because mercy is ​the gentle attendant of all my works, I design at first to give them a salutary confusion, in order that they may acknowledge and humble themselves like the Jews and Gentiles when I sent them foolish people whom I filled with my divine wisdom. Yes, I will give them women ignorant and weak by their nature, but prudent and powerful through my grace, to confound their arrogance. If they recognize their folly, if they humble themselves, if they profit by the instructions which I will offer them in these frail but consecrated vases, I will be full of mercy towards them; but should they contemn this salutary disgrace, I will send them so many humiliations, that they will become the scoff of every one. This is the just chastisement which I administer to pride; the more the proud aim at exaltation the lower will I abase them, even beneath themselves. For thee, delay not to obey me, for I wish thee to appear publicly: I will accompany thee on all occasions, I will continue to visit thee and will direct thee in all that thou must do. "
After these words Catherine prostrated herself with filial obedience at the feet of our divine Redeemer; she immediately went forth from her cell, joining her family at table as God had commanded her.
Catherine was corporally with creatures but spiritually she never quitted her divine Spouse. All that she saw and heard was burdensome to her; the strength and ardor of her love rendered like long years, the hours that she passed with men, and she returned into her cell as quickly as she could, in order to meet there Him whom her soul cherished: then she would honor him, and adore him with renewed fervor. Catherine who was favored with an ever-increasing desire of being united to the object of her love, took the resolution of receiving him in holy communion ​as frequently as she could, — and God prepared her daily for the relations she was destined to hold with men for the salvation of souls. When she drew near to her family ; again, she determined not to remain unemployed, and began anew to devote herself to the duties of the household.
Chapter II
Of Some Wonderful Things That Occurred At The Commencement Of Catharine'S Relations With The World, And Of Her Exertions In Supplying The Necessities Of The Poor.
Catherine resolved in conformity with the will of her divine Spouse, to live in a manner that would render her useful to her neighbor, and capable of inclining him to virtue. She therefore devoted herself to practices of humility, and by degrees consecrated herself to works of charity, without, however, permitting these to interfere with her fervent prayers and extraordinary penances. She performed the most menial services of the house, as sweeping, washing the dishes, and even the work that strictly appertains to the kitchen department. When the servant was sick, she entirely supplied her place, and also found means to attend to her wants during her sickness; yet these so multiplied occupations did not make Catherine neglect her heavenly Spouse. She was so intimately united to him, that no exterior act nor corporal fatigue was capable of disturbing their delicious interior conversations. Her ecstasies became even more frequent. As soon as the thought of Jesus penetrated her mind, the soul appeared to retire from the sensual part, and the extremities became cold, contracted and insensible. During her ecstasies, she was often lifted above the earth, her body pursuing her soul, in order to show the power of the spirit that attracted her.
Knowing that the surest means of pleasing the divine Spouse was to be charitable towards the neighbor, her ​heart burned with the desire of relieving him in all his wants. But having promised to observe the three vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, she would no longer dispose of what belonged to others without their consent. She therefore sought her father, and asked him if she might deduct, according to her conscience, the share of the poor from the riches that God had deigned to accord her family. The father cheerfully consented, because he saw clearly that his daughter was walking in the way of perfection, and he was even so considerate as to announce to every one in the house, the permission he had accorded. "Let no one," said he, "prevent my beloved child from bestowing alms. I grant her full liberty; indeed she may, if she will, dispense all that is in the house." Catherine used almost literally the permission she had received; however, she had the gift of discernment, and gave only to those whom she knew had a real need, and then she did not wait for such individuals to ask. She was acquainted with some poor families, in her neighborhood, who were in great distress, but who were ashamed to solicit alms. She therefore imitated Saint Nicholas, rising early in the morning, so as to carry corn, wine and oil, with whatever else was necessary for them. She went unattended to the houses of the unfortunate persons. God would open the door for her in a miraculous manner, while she would shut it quickly and glide stealthily away, having deposited her provisions in the house.
One day as she was sick and suffering from head to foot, and felt that it was impossible for her to rise from her bed, she learned that a poor widow in the neighborhood was in absolute destitution, having not even a loaf of bread for her little children. Her heart bled, and daring the whole night she was begging her divine Spouse ​to render her sufficient corporal strength to go to the relief of this unhappy woman. She arose before daylight, ran over the house, filled a little sack with meal, took a large bottle of wine, a jug of oil, all the aliments that she could find prepared. She succeeded in gathering these articles together into her cell; but it appeared impossible for her to carry them, all at once to the widow's house. She succeeded however in her pious undertaking assisted by a supernatural strength.
Her maladies followed not the order of nature; God governed them according to his will, as we shall see in the sequel. Catherine imitated several times, notwithstanding her infirmities, the maternal charity of St. Nicholas. In the following incidents we shall see how she renewed the beautiful alms of Saint Martin.
One day while she was in the Church of the Friar Preachers of Sienna, a poor man came to beg an alms "for the love of God." She had not at that moment any thing to give him, as she carried neither gold nor silver. She besought the poor person to accompany her as far as the house, promising to assist him as much as she could But he, who was undoubtedly poor in appearance, answered her: "If you have any thing to give me, give it directly, I entreat you, for it is impossible for me to wait." Catherine would not afflict him more, and sought some means of relieving him. Her eyes fell upon a little silver Cross which was attached to one of those little cords trimmed with knots, on which the Lord's Prayer is recited, and called on that account a "Pater Noster." Catherine instantly broke the cord and offered the little silver Cross to the poor person, who joyfully accepted it, and withdrew at once as though he had not come to ask anything else. The night following, whilst Catharine ​was praying according to her custom, the Saviour of the world appeared to her, holding in his hand the little Silver Cross all enriched with precious Jewels, and he said to her: "Daughter do you recognize this Cross,?" "Perfectly well," replied Catherine, " but it was not so handsome when it belonged to me." " Yesterday " said our Lord, "thy heart gave it to me, an offering of love, and these precious stones represent that love. And I now promise thee, that on the day of judgment, in presence of the angels and of men, I will return it to thee such as it now is, so that it may become thy glory: and at that solemn moment in which I will manifest the justice and the mercy of my Father, I will not conceal it, and will never permit that what you have done for me shall be forgotten." He disappeared after these words, and left Catherine wholly absorbed with gratitude and ready to continue similar alms, as we shall soon see.
Our Lord ravished with the charity of his faithful Spouse, tempted her, for our example and urged her on to great things. One day Tierce having been recited every body left the church; Catherine alone remained with one of her companions to pray longer, and when she descended from the chapel of the Sisters intending to return home, our Lord appeared to her under the form of a young man only half-clad — he appeared to be a stranger and aged about thirty-two or thirty-three. He implored her, in the name of God, to condescend to give him some clothing. Catherine, more and more ardent in alms-giving, said to him: "Wait here a moment, my friend, until I return from the chapel, and I will give you what you ask." And going back into the chapel, she took off, without uncovering herself, aided by her companion, a garment without sleeves which she wore under ​her dress to protect her from the cold, and went joyfully to offer it to the poor person. The latter was not satisfied and said to her: "Madam, you have given me a woolen garment, but can you not also give me something of linen to cover me ?" "Follow me," answered Catherine immediately, "and you shall be content." Our Lord followed his Spouse, without any mutual recognition, when they arrived at the house, Catherine ran to the place in which her father and mother put their linen, took two under garments and carried them quickly to the poor mendicant, who appeared still dissatisfied. "But, Madam " said he, "what shall I do with this garment that has no covering for the arms ? give me some sleeves and you will have furnished me with a complete suit. " This demand, far from importuning Catherine, augmented her zeal. She ran over the whole house in search of sleeves; she found at length hanging on the wall, a new dress belonging to the domestic; she took it down, and hurriedly removed the sleeves and carried them to the man.
But He who tried Abraham, still insisted and said to her: " Now Madam, you have dressed me, and I thank you in the Name of him for whom you did it; but I have at the hospital one of my companions who is in need of clothing; could not you give him some article that I might take to him on your part."
The multiplied demands had not yet chilled the charity of Catherine and she sought the means of clothing also the other necessitous person who was at the hospital. But she remembered that all the inmates of the house, her father excepted, complained of her donations and put what they had tinder lock and key, so that she might not distribute them unto the poor. She had already given ​the sleeves that belonged to the domestic who was far from being in good circumstances; she dared not take the whole gown; then she began to examine seriously, whether she ought not to give the sole dress that she had reserved: charity whispered yes, modesty said no. Charity triumphed over itself, love for souls was victorious over love for the body. She thought that, if she went out not having on any dress, those who might see her would be scandalized, which must be especially avoided. She therefore answered the poor man thus: " See now, good friend, were it possible for me to remain without this dress, I would most cheerfully give it to you; but as I cannot and I do not find any other just now, I pray you not to wish it of me. If I could, I should be delighted to give you all that you request." The poor man smiled, and said to her: "Yes, I see that you give me most cordially whatever you possibly can; farewell." As he was leaving, Catherine fancied that she recognized by certain signs that it was the heavenly Guest who so frequently appeared to her, and who deigned to converse familiarly with her. Her heart was at once troubled and inflamed, but humility persuaded her, that she was unworthy of such a favor and then she continued her usual daily exercises.
The night following, while Catherine was praying, the Saviour of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ, appeared to her, under the figure of the destitute man, holding in his hand the garment that she had given him, richly embroidered with pearls and glittering with precious stones. "Beloved Daughter," said the Lord to her, "do you recognize this garment?" And when she replied affirmatively, but that she had not given it so richly adorned — our Saviour added; "yesterday, thou gave me this article with great love; by charity clothed ​me, and preserved me from ignominy. Now, I will bestow on thee, from my own body, a garment that shall be invisible to men, but perceptible to thee, because it will preserve from cold both thy soul and thy body, until the day in which I will clothe thee with honor and glory before the saints and angels. "And immediately he drew from the wound of his adorable Heart a vestment tinged with the purple hue of his precious blood and beaming with light. He put it on her with his own sacred hands, saying to her; "I give thee on earth this vestment with its exclusive right, as a symbol and pledge of the hope of glory that shall be thine in Heaven!" The vision disappeared. The efficacy of this divine garment was such, not only for her soul, but also in reference to her body, that, from that moment, Catherine wore neither in summer, nor in winter, more than one robe and never added to it even in the most severe cold She has even acknowledged to me, that she did not feel cold — her miraculous garment preserved her, so that she did not think it possible for her to require more.
Let us remark the merit of that faithful servant of God. She follows in her secret alms-deed, the footsteps of St. Nicholas, and imitates in giving her very personal clothing, the glorious St. Martin. Not only did our Lord appear to her and return her thanks, but the infallible Truth also gave her a formal promise of an eternal recompense, and bestowed on her a sensible and perpetual sign of the joy her alms had caused Him who is of all alms-givers the best. He also assures her of final perseverance, and distinctly makes known to her the secret of her predestination and the splendor of her reward. He did not accord similar revelations to the Saints that we have mentioned above, and who had done many, very many ​charitable deeds — such favors are not to be lightly esteemed; they give the soul a certainty of salvation, and an inexpressible joy and comfort. The surety of possessing Heaven excites her to the practice of every virtue; it augments patience, fortitude, temperance, zeal for pious works, with the theological virtues Faith, Hope and Charity. What appeared difficult becomes easy, the soul "can do all things" for the love of Him who discloses to her, a predestination to glory and fortifies her continually. We have already had striking proofs in the relations just given: the proofs are about to become more numerous and more striking.
At another time, Catherine, always inflamed with the fire of compassion, learned that a poor person, who had voluntarily divested himself of his wealth, for the love of God, was on the point of dying with hunger; she desired again "to feed" Jesus Christ in his poor, and filled with eggs "a linen sack which she had sewed under her dress. When approaching the residence of the poor person, she paid a visit to a church; as soon as her soul found itself in the house of prayer it rose towards Him, to whom it was continually united; she fell into an ecstasy, losing the use of her senses: her body sunk down precisely on the side which bore the sack filled with eggs, and weighed on it so heavily, as to crush a large thimble of metal that was in the same pocket, into three pieces, while the eggs, which charity had deposited therein, suffered no injury; they bore the weight of Catherine during several hours, without their shells being in the least impaired.
Catherine's charity also glorified God by miracles. The following wonderful fact which was witnessed by about twenty persons; I heard from her mother, Lapa ​from Lysa, her sister-in-law, and from Friar Thomas, her first confessor. At the period in which she used largely her permission to give to the poor whatever she wished, it happened that the wine of a hogshead which the family was using at table was found to be spoiled. Catherine who in respect to wine, bread and all kinds of food, desired to give to the poor, in honor of God, what was the best in its kind, drew some good wine from another hogshead, that no one had yet touched, and distributed it daily. This cask, according to its dimensions could suffice for the family, for fifteen or twenty days, by close economising. Before the family had touched it, Catherine had distributed it plentifully during a long time — No one in the house had leave to prevent her. The one charged with the wine-cellar began also to draw from the cask for the common use, and Catherine was not at all remiss on her side; she even augmented her donations of it, presuming there would be less complaint when every one partook of it. Not only fifteen days, but twenty and even a month elapsed, without the hogshead suffering any apparent diminution in its contents. Catherine's brothers and the domestics told this to her father, and all were delighted to see the same wine answering so long the daily wants of the family. Not only it lasted well, but none of them ever remembered to have tasted any so good or so pleasant. The quantity and the quality were equally amazing. Each and all profited by it, without being capable of explaining the phenomenon; Catherine who was alone in the secret of the Benefactor, drew continually and gave to all the poor that she could find; yet the wine continued to flow, and its flavor was unchanged. A second month passed, and a third, and yet there was no difference. At length the vintage-time arrived and ​casks were to be prepared for the reception of new wine. The persons in charge were anxious to empty the inexhaustible hogshead in order to fill it with the wine that already flowed from the press; but the divine munificence was not wearied, other vessels were prepared and filled, but all were insufficient; then, a young man who was conducting the vintage gave orders to empty that hogshead, and bring it to the wine press; they answered him that on the previous evening, a large vessel full had been drawn, and that the wine was very strong and very clear, and that consequently there must yet remain a considerable quantity. Annoyed at their perseverance, he replied: " Draw out whatever wine maybe in it, open the cask, and prepare it for the reception of the new wine, because we cannot wait any longer." They therefore opened the cask, whence on the eve, wine beautifully clear had flowed: but it was so dry, that it seemed impossibility that any liquid could have been drawn from it in a length of time. Astonishment seized them all: for they remembered the abundance and the quality of the wine which it had afforded, and they verified the extreme dryness of the hogshead from which it had been drawn. This miracle was known to all the city of Sienna; it is attested by the persons then resident in the house of Catherine, and I have mentioned above, the individuals who related it to me.
Chapter III
Of The Wonderful Things Catharine Performed When Serving The Sick.
Catherine was wonderfully compassionate to the wants of the poor, but her heart was even more sensitive to the sufferings of the sick. To relieve them, she accomplished things apparently incredible, but this is no reason for suppressing them, and I shall therefore relate them to the glory of Almighty God. I have, for proof, the written and verbal testimony of Friar Thomas, whom I have already named, of St. Dominic of Sienna, doctor of divinity, and prior provincial of the Roman Province. I could also cite Lapa and Lysa with several respectable ladies who have affirmed the same things to me.
There was at Sienna a poor sick woman named Teeca; her indigence was so extreme, that she was forced to seek in a hospital the remedies she needed, and which she was unable to procure. The hospital in which she entered was barely able to furnish what was strictly necessary. Her disease grew worse and worse, so that the leprosy covered her whole body; the smell arising from her disease repelled every one, so that no person had courage to take care of her, and preparations were made to remove her outside of the city, as is customary in such maladies. When Catherine heard this, her charitable heart was touched; she hastened to the hospital, visited the leper, kissed her, and offered not only to supply all her necessities, but also to become her servant during the remainder ​of her life, Catherine literally fulfilled her promise , every morning and every evening, she visited the patient in person and gave her whatever was necessary; she contemplated in this poor leper, the spouse of her soul and assisted her in every possible way, and with an indescribable respect and love.
The exalted virtue of Catherine, however, only inspired the leprous woman with pride and ingratitude; this is quite usual with minds destitute of humility, they exalt themselves when they ought to humble themselves, and offer insults in return for benefits that deserve thanks. Catherine's charity and humility rendered Teeca arrogant and irritable. When she saw Catherine so solicitous in serving her, she considered the charitable attentions due to her, and scolded her benefactress with injurious words, when every thing did not conform to her wishes. Often the servant of our Lord, prolonged her morning devotions in the Church and hence came later than usual to the hospital. On such occasions Teeca would display her ill-temper, in phrases like this: "Good morning, my Lady, Queen of Fonte-Branda (this was the name of the section of the city in which Catherine resided:) your Majesty takes pleasure in staying the livelong day in the Church of the Friars; it is there you have wasted all this forenoon I am sure, my fine lady: you are never weary of the dear Friars ! " She strove to irritate her by such words; but Catherine always calm, appeased her in the best way she could, and answered with as much meekness and humility as if she had been her own mother — begging her to be quiet for the love of our blessed Lord: "I have been a little late it is true, but soon all your little wants shall be attended to " — and quickly lighting the fire and putting on water, she would prepare her food, ​and arrange every thing with such promptitude that the ill-tempered sick woman herself would be in surprise. This continued a considerable time, her patience and zeal never diminishing. Every body was in admiration except Lapa, who complained: " Certainly my daughter you will take the leprosy; I desire that you will not serve that sick person." But she, who placed all her confidence in God, appeased her mother by assuring her that she had nothing to fear, because Providence had confided this work to her, and would never forsake her. Thus, her charity triumphed over all obstacles, and pursued what it had commenced. Satan then had recourse to other means. Our Lord permitted her hands to become covered with leprosy, in order to render the triumph of his faithful spouse the more striking; her fingers which had touched the body of Teeca contracted the infirmity, and it became evident that Catherine had taken her contagious malady. This misfortune did not arrest her, she preferred being covered with leprosy to renouncing her charitable functions; her body she looked upon as dust; she was not anxious concerning what might happen to it, if what she did were agreeable to our Lord. The leprosy lingered a long time, but divine love hindered her from perceiving it. At last He who heals when striking, who exalts in abasing, and who renders all profitable to those who love him, after rejoicing in the courage of his handmaid, would try her no longer. Teeca died, and Catherine happily assisted her in her last agony. Her body was frightful to behold. Catherine carefully washed it, clothed it, exposed it, and buried it herself. When this last act of charity was terminated, the disease disappeared from Catherine's body suddenly; her hands seemed to be whiter than the rest of her person, as though the leprosy ​had imparted additional delicacy to them. Let us pause and admire the assemblage of virtues which adorned Catherine in this deed. Charity, their Queen, prompted it, humility accompanied it, rendering her the servant of this unfortunate woman; patience led her to support with joy the violence of the leper's temper as well as the disgusts inseparable from that loathsome malady; the strength of her faith shows to her in this diseased subject, the beloved spouse whom she desired to please, and hope never abandoned her, as is shown by her perseverance to the end. A miracle crowns all these virtues, for our Lord healed instantly those hands that had been attacked with leprosy, in serving Teeca during life and after death.
There was also in Sienna, at the time in which Catherine devoted herself to the service of the sick and indigent, a Sister of Penance of St. Dominic, named Palmerina, and who had publicly consecrated herself with all her wealth to works of mercy. Notwithstanding these two reasons for belonging entirely to God, the devil made her his captive. A secret envy and a remnant of pride had inspired her with a profound hatred toward Catherine: not only did she find it disagreeable to see her, but she could not even hear Catherine's name pronounced without being thrown into a paroxysm of vexation; she even denounced her in public, and was so blinded by passion, that she went so far as to calumniate and execrate the devoted servant of God.
Catherine employed all the resources of meekness and humility in endeavoring to calm her, but all these advances were despised. Catherine therefore addressed her self to her divine Spouse as usual; by fervent prayers she "heaped coals of fire on her head," (Rom. xii. 20) for these prayers soaring like flames towards God, implored ​at once his justice and his mercy. Catherine only asked mercy, but God who cannot separate these two attributes, first manifested justice, and then accorded to the prayers of his faithful Spouse a more striking proof of mercy. He afflicted Palmerina's body, so as to heal her soul, and combatted her rude obstinacy by the sweet charity with which he had enriched his Spouse. He also augmented Catherine's zeal for the salvation of others, by revealing to her the ineffable beauty of that soul which was condemned by her own fault, but which she had miraculously saved by her merits and her prayers. Palmerina's illness did not cure this disposition; on the contrary, her hatred only increased. Catherine tried every means of softening it; she frequently proffered her assistance; sought to console her by testimonies of affection, and rendered her all the services she could imagine; but Palmerina obdurately remained insensible to words and deeds prompted by such tender charity; Catherine's eagerness to serve her even seemed to render her odious, and violent hatred at last provoked her to chase Catherine from the house. Then the supreme Judge laid his hand of justice on that enemy of charity ! strength suddenly forsook her, and without being able to receive the last Sacraments, Palmerina found herself in presence of death, and of eternal condemnation !
As soon as Catherine learned this, she shut herself in her own apartment and fervently conjured her Spouse not to allow a soul to perish on her account — "Lord," said she, "shall I, a wretched creature prove the occasion of loss to a soul created in thy image ? is that the good thou wilt use me to effect ? no doubt my sins have caused the whole, and yet I will continue to claim thy mercy ​until my Sister sees her error, and Thou savest the soul of that beloved one from death."
While Catherine thus prayed, more with the heart than with the lips, God, so as to excite a still more inflamed desire for succoring that perishing soul, made known to her, Palmerina's faults and the danger that menaced her: and when our Redeemer declared that he could not endure that a hatred so unjust and so implacable should remain without chastisement, Catherine buried herself anew in profound supplication, and implored our divine and merciful Saviour not to suffer the soul of Palmerina to depart until she had been reconciled with God and her neighbor.
Her prayer was so effectual that the patient could not die; her agony endured three days and three nights: all were astonished and suffered on seeing this last combat so prolonged. Catherine was however continually interceding, and the humility of her tears triumphed over the Omnipotent. A ray of light from heaven mercifully penetrated that soul in the midst of her agony, discovered to it this fault, and gave it all the graces necessary for salvation. Catherine knew it by revelation, and hastened to the house. As soon as Palmerina saw her, she bestowed on her every mark of joy and respect; she accused herself of her fault aloud, and died shortly after having received the Sacrament with signs of the deepest contrition. Our Lord showed this soul as saved, to his spouse. Our Lord then suggested to his beloved Spouse that if He, the source of all beauty was so captivated with the loveliness of souls, as to descend to earth, and shed for them His precious Blood, how much more should we diligently labor for each other, so that a creature so admirable perish not." "If I have exhibited this ​soul to thee said our Divine Saviour, it is to awaken in thee a more inflamed desire of promoting the salvation of souls, in proportion to the grace that I have given thee."
Catherine thanked our Lord with effusion of heart, and humbly entreated him to deign in future to show her the beauty of the soul? who might have relations with her, so that she could become more devoted to their salvation. God granted this favor, saying: " Because you have despised the world, to attach thyself wholly to me, who am the perfect Spirit; because you have prayed with faith and perseverance for the salvation of that soul; behold I endow thee with supernatural light, which will show thee either the beauty or the deformity of all the souls that thou wilt meet. Thy interior sense will perceive the condition of minds, as thy exterior senses perceive the state of the body. And that will take place not only in respect to persons present, but for all those whose salvation may form the object of thy solicitude and thy prayers, even though they be absent and thou hast never as yet seen them." The efficacy of that grace which God granted her was such, that from that moment, she actually saw more distinctly the souls than the bodies of persons who approached her.
One day I rebuked her in private for not preventing those who approached her from bending the knee before her, she thus answered me; " God is my witness that I frequently do not perceive the actions of those who surround me; I merely occupy myself with their souls, without passing any attention to their bodies," Then I said to her: "Do you perceive their souls ?" "Father," answered she, "I acknowledge that my Saviour deigned to accord me that grace, when he heard my prayers, on withholding from eternal flames, a soul that was precipitating ​herself into them by her own fault. He then clearly showed me the ravishing beauty of that soul, and since that time, it is rare for me to see any one, without directly becoming acquainted with their interior state." And she added. " Father, could you but see the beauty of a rational soul, you would sacrifice your life a hundred times, were it necessary, for its salvation. No, naught in this material world is comparable to its beauty." I then requested her to give me a full account of that transaction, and in consequence she gave me the above narrative: only that she softened as far as possible, the injuries which the Sister had offered to her; Others of the Sisters worthy of confidence, who were witnesses of it, acquainted me with their grievousness.
I will add one fact, which will complete these remarks. I frequently served as interpreter between Gregory XI. and Catharine; she did not understand Latin, and the Sovereign Pontiff did not speak Italian. In one of these interviews, Catherine asked why she found in the court of Rome, in which all the virtues ought to bloom, nothing but the spread of disgraceful vices. The Sovereign Pontiff asked her if it were long since she arrived at the Court, and on being informed that it was merely a few days since, he said to her: "How have you so soon learned what occurs here ?" Then Catherine quitting her humble posture in order to assume an air of authority, which astonished me, pronounced the following words: "I must declare, to the glory of Almighty God, that I have perceived more distinctly the infections of the sins that are committed in the Court of Rome, while yet in my native city, than those even who committed them, and are still daily committing then." The Pope remained silent; I could not overcome ​my surprise, and shall never forget the tone of authority, with which Catherine spoke to that great Pontiff.
It often happened to me and to those who accompanied her in journeys, to be found in her company in places that we had never seen, and also to see for the first time, persons of honorable and respectable appearance, but, who were in reality addicted to vice. Catherine knew their interior directly, and refused to look at them or give any answer when they addressed us: and if they would insist, she would say: "first, let us purify ourselves from our faults and become delivered from the bondage of Satan, then we will converse about God." She would by this means soon disencumber us of their presence, and we would very soon discover that these persons were plunged in incorrigible profligacy.
The enemy of mankind, beholding the great merit that Catherine was acquiring, and the good she effected in souls, by taking care of the sick, sought new means of turning her from it; but his malice was again defeated. He desired to render sterile that tree planted by the running waters, yet never, on the contrary, did its branches bear more fruit. There was at that time a Sister of Penance of St. Dominic, called Andrea, who was extremely ill with a cancer in the breast which consumed and gnawed away gradually her whole chest; the odor from this wound was so disgusting that it was impossible to approach her without closing firmly the nostrils, and there was scarcely any one to be found that was willing to pay the unfortunate Sister a friendly visit. Directly Catherine knew this, she comprehended that God reserved to her this poor forsaken one; she hastened to comfort her with cheerful countenance, and offered to ​assist her so long as that dreadful illness might last. The Sister accepted her offer the more easily as she found herself neglected by all others.
Behold, therefore, the Virgin serving the widow, youth succoring old age, and her who languished with the love of God, devoted to one who languished with the sorrows of earth. Catherine omits no attention, although the stench becomes more and more insupportable; she remains by the bedside continually, using no precaution, uncovers the wound, cleanses it and changes the linens, and never exhibits the slightest repugnance, whatever be the length of time required or the difficulty in the dressing. The patient admires that constancy and fullness of charity in one so youthful. The enemy of all good, irritated at such exalted virtue, has recourse to artifice, worthy of himself. One day as the saint uncovered the wound, a suffocating odor issued from it; her will, reposing on that of Jesus Christ is not moved; but her stomach turns and endangers vomiting. As soon as she perceives it, she becomes angry with herself, reproaching Herself with this weakness: "What," said she, "you are disgusted at thy Sister who is redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ ! may not thou also fall sick, and become in even a worse condition — thou shalt not remain unpunished." And immediately, stooping down over the breast of the cancerous woman, she applied her mouth to the ulcer, until she was sensible of having overcome her disgust, and triumphed over that natural revolt. The sick woman cried out: "Cease, daughter, dearest child, I cannot endure that you should thus poison yourself with that horrible corruption." But Catherine would not rise until she had vanquished the enemy, who then left her in tranquility for a little while. Perceiving ​that he could effect nothing with Catherine, he charged his batteries against the unhappy patient, who was not on her guard. This sower of tares commenced with inspiring a certain wearisomeness of Catherine's services, and ended at length by changing it into an inveterate hatred. As no one except Catherine, was capable of continuing these cares, she attributed her perseverance to a species of pride, in desiring to do more than others; and as hatred easily believes evil of those that it pursues, this wretched woman, more diseased in mind than body, listened to the devil to such a degree, as at last to suspect Catherine's purity, and to believe that she was committing some great sin, when she was absent. Catherine remained firm as a column; she only saw her Spouse and continued with joy, before his eyes, the work of zeal that she had commenced, strong in patience, she laughed at the enemy whose snares she recognized, and she took delight in provoking his anger by practicing charity which is insupportable to him. Then the devil blinded more and more the mind of the old woman, and succeeded in irritating her so far, that she publicly calumniated Catherine in the most shameful manner.
These accusations spread abroad among the Sisters, and some of the more advanced who directed the others, came to visit the sick woman and examine whether these reports had any foundation. Andrea replied whatever the devil suggested to her: the Sisters being extremely provoked, called Catherine, and, after having addressed to her cruel and cutting reproofs, at last asked her how it was possible that she had suffered herself to be seduced and so lose her virginity. Catherine, always humble and patient, contended herself with answering: "I assure you. Ladies and dear Sisters that by the grace of Jesus Christ, I am ​still a Virgin." And when they renewed this absurd falsehood, her whole defence consisted in repeating: "Indeed I am a Virgin" — "Indeed I am a Virgin !" This circumstance did not change her conduct at all. However her heart grieved at this frightful calumny, she continued to serve with the same love the author of it: but in the secret of her chamber, she took refuge in prayer: "My omnipotent Saviour, my beloved Spouse, thou know the delicacy of a female's reputation and how carefully thy spouses should preserve their honor from the slightest reproach. For this cause thou did confide thy glorious Mother to St. Joseph, you are acquainted with the efforts of the father of lies, to deter me from what thy love has urged me to undertake; help me then, my Lord and my God, for thou know that I am innocent, and suffer not the old serpent to prevail against me. " While she thus poured out before God her tears and prayers, the Saviour of the world appeared to her: he held in his right hand a crown of gold enriched with precious jewels, and in his left a crown of woven thorns: "Beloved daughter," said he to her, "know that thou must bear successively, these very different crowns: choose the one that thou now prefers. If thou take the crown of thorns for this life, I will reserve the other for thee after thy death: but if now thou take the precious one, hereafter thou shalt wear the thorns." "Lord," replied Catherine, "I have long since renounced my own will, and have promised to follow thine in all things: hence I have no choice to make; but if thou wilt have me to answer, during this life, I desire to be conformed to thy blessed Passion, and find my chief delight in suffering with thee." Saying this she took the crown of thorns with both hands, as the Saviour presented it to her, and ​pressed it on her head with so much violence, that the thorns entered on all sides. She felt the wounds sensibly after the vision, as she herself informed me. Then the Lord said; "I am all-powerful, and if I have allowed this scandal to occur, I can cause it to cease instantly. Complete the work that you have commenced, yield not to Satan who would prevent thee; I will give thee a manifest victory over him; all that he has prepared against thee, shall turn to his shame and thy glory." The servant of God remained filled with consolation and with courage.
However, Lapa, her mother, became acquainted with the reports that the sick women had spread among the Sisters; and being quite certain of the innocence of her daughter, she, indignant at the attempts of Andrea, and in great anger said to Catherine: "How often have I begged thee to leave that wicked woman ! this is the recompense that she bestows on thee, dishonor before all the Sisterhood; if thou serve her again, if thou even approach her, I will no longer call thee my child !" This was a new snare of the demon for arresting Catherine; but she, on hearing her mother, kept silent a moment; and then approaching and kneeling before her, she humbly said to her: "My beloved Mother, does the ingratitude of men prevent God from daily exercising his mercy towards sinners ? did not our Saviour, accomplish the salvation of the world on the Cross, without heeding the insults offered him ? You are so kind dear mother, and you know very well that were I to abandon that sick person, no one would take care of her, and she would die for want of assistance; would we not indeed become the cause of her death ? She is deceived by Satan, but God may enlighten her and lead her to acknowledge her error."
​She thus appeased her mother, who blessed her, and she returned to the diseased woman, and served as cheerfully, as though she had said nothing against her. Andrea was surprised at seeing no appearance of trouble: she could not deny that she was overcome, and she began to repent interiorly, and much more as she perceived the zeal of her benefactress augmenting daily.
God at length took compassion on that miserable woman and sent her, so as to glorify his Spouse, the following vision: One day as Andrea was in bed, it seemed to her that the moment in which the servant of Jesus Christ entered the room and approached the bed (on which the sick woman was laid,) a great light came down from heaven, surrounded her and filled her with such sweetness and joy, that she, so to speak, forgot her sufferings: she did not comprehend this new state and looked about on all sides, when she saw the countenance of Catherine, so changed and transfigured, that she no longer beheld the daughter of Lapa, but the majestic figure of an Angel, and the brilliancy that surrounded her, enveloped her as a garment. At this spectacle, regret for her fault increased in her heart, with bitter self-reproach for having so basely calumniated so holy a person. This vision which she contemplated with her corporal eyes, lasted a long time, and when it disappeared, it left the sick woman at once sad and consoled. Her sadness was that which according to the Apostle, accomplishes justice. (II Cor. vii. 10) She instantly asked pardon of Catharine, amid tears and sobs, accusing herself of having sinned against her, and calumniated her. The exterior light which she had seen, illuminated her soul, and caused her to recognize the imposture of the Demon. Catharine embraced the poor patient, and consoled her ​the best she could, assuring her that she had not for a moment even thought of abandoning her, or retained the slightest ill-feeling towards her; "Beloved Mother," said she to her, "I knew perfectly well that the enemy of our salvation was the originator of those scandals, and that he had deceived you by his grievous malice. I do not accuse you but him. I thank you on the contrary, for the kind affections which induced you to be so anxious concerning my virtue." After thus comforting her, she administered to her the usual attentions, and quickly returned home so as not to lose time.
But Andrea wholly penetrated with the consciousness of her fault, caused those persons before whom she had calumniated Catherine to be called; she confessed with moans her deep guilt and how fearfully the devil had deceived her; she proclaimed aloud that she of whom she had uttered so much evil, was not only innocent, but that she was a saint filled with the Spirit of God, and that she has now a proof of it. And as they demanded an explanation she responded that she had never felt nor comprehended what were spiritual sweetness and consolation before having seen Catherine transfigured before her and environed with light. This testimony increased Catherine's reputation with the public, and the devil who had endeavored to tarnish it, served on the contrary, through the intervention of the Holy Spirit, to glorify it. But our Saint remained as calm in triumph as in trial; she pursued her charitable work, applying at the same time to the study of her own nothingness. He who alone exists by his own power charged himself with honoring her; but the implacable enemy who may be indeed vanquished, but never destroyed, returned to the charge, and determined again to conquer, by the revolt of nature.
​One day as the servant of God uncovered the horrid ulcer, to wash it, the infected odor which arose from it, inspired a violent disgust which the devil strove to increase. Her stomach bounded with nausea. This repulse was so much the more painful to her, as, just then, the new victories which she had gained by the grace of the Holy Spirit had helped her to acquire new virtues. Filled with a holy anger against herself, she said: "thou shall swallow what inspires thee with such horror, and immediately, collecting in a saucer the water in which she had washed what flowed from the wound, she went aside and drank the whole. I recollect that one day, when others related this circumstance in her presence, she said to me, in an undertone: "Father, I assure you, that in my whole life, I never tasted any thing so sweet and so agreeable."
I found in the writings or Friar Thomas, her first Confessor, that the same thing happened to her, when her mouth was applied to the ulcer; she acknowledged to him that she then perceived a delicious odor. In the night that followed this last victory, the Saviour of men appeared to Catherine while she was praying; he showed her the five sacred wounds that he received for our salvation on the Cross. "Beloved," said he to her, "thou has sustained for me great combats, and, with my assistance, you have remained victorious. Never has thou been dearer or more pleasing to me, — yesterday in particular thou ravished my heart. Not only did thou despise sensual pleasures, disdain the opinions of men, and surmount the temptations of Satan, but thou overcame nature, by joyfully drinking for my sake a loathsome, horrible beverage. Well ! since you have accomplished an action so superior to nature, I will bestow ​on thee a liquor above nature." And placing the right hand on Catherine's neck, he drew her to the wound of his sacred side, saying to her: "Drink, daughter, that luscious beverage which flows from my side, it will inebriate thy soul with sweetness and will also plunge in a sea of delight thy body, which thou despised for love of me." Catherine thus placed at the very fountain of life, applied her mouth to the sacred wound of the Saviour, her soul drew thence an ineffable and divine liquor; she drank long and with as much avidity as abundance; in fine, when our blessed Lord gave her notice, she detached herself from the sacred source, satiated, but still eager, because she experienced no repletion at being satiated, nor pain at still desiring. ineffable mercy of the Lord, how delightful you are to those who love thee ! how delicious to such as taste thee ! Alas, Lord, I, and those who have not experienced it, can not comprehend it; the blind cannot judge of the beauty of colors, nor the deaf the charms of harmony. So as not to be ungrateful, we contemplate and admire, as far as we are able, the great favors thou does accord to thy Saints, and, although they far surpass us, we thank thy divine Majesty for them in proportion to our strength.
Dear reader, observe the wonderful virtue of Catherine. Admire that inspiration of charity which inclines her to perform an act so repugnant to nature: consider the zeal which influences her, notwithstanding the revolt of her senses; remark that amazing courage that cannot be intimidated by the shocking calumny and odious ingratitude of the sick woman; contemplate, in fine, that soul which derives its strength from God, which praise cannot render haughty, and which gains over the flesh a last triumph, by drinking what it shuddered with horror ​merely to see! All this is noble, and there are very few, especially in our day, who would perform similar deeds. But consider, also, the recompense. After Catherine had subdued her thirst at the side of oar blessed Redeemer, grace so super-abounded in her soul, that her body experienced its effects; it became impossible for her to take even the insignificant amount of nourishment which she took before. I will give a full account of it before too long, but it is time to terminate this important Chapter, which I could not well diminish in length.
Chapter IV
Of Her Manner Of Living And Of The Reproaches Which Were Made Her Concerning Her Complete Abstinence.
The incomparable Spouse of souls had tried his beloved daughter in the furnace of great tribulations: he taught her to overcome the enemy of souls in every variety of combat, it only remained for him to crown her in a manner worthy of his own divine munificence; but, the souls that she was destined to succor in their pilgrimage, had not yet profited by her virtues as much as the Saviour desired and had promised, and it was requisite that Catherine should remain in the world, receiving in it the pledges of her eternal reward. Our Lord made known by revelation, to his faithful servant the celestial life that she was to lead in this valley of tears.
One day while she was praying in her little chamber, he appeared to her, and announced to her the kind of new miracle that he was going to operate in her: " Learn my sweetest daughter, that henceforth thy life will be filled with prodigies so amazing that ignorant and sensual men will refuse to believe them. Many even of those persons who are attached to thee, will doubt them and fear an illusion caused by excess of love to me. I will diffuse in thy soul such an abundance of grace, that thy body itself will experience its effects and will live no longer except in an extraordinary manner; thy heart shall become so ardent for the salvation of the neighbor, that thou shalt forget thy sex and its reserve: thou shalt ​no more avoid as formerly the conversation of men, but thou shalt expose thyself to every species of fatigue in order to save their souls; thy conduct will scandalize many who will contradict thee and accuse thee publicly. But be not alarmed, and be not anxious; I will be even with thee, and I will deliver thy soul from the deceitful tongue and from the lips that speak falsely. Follow therefore courageously, the inspiration which will enlighten thee; for I shall draw, by thy aid, numerous souls from the gulf of hell, and I will conduct them, with the help of my grace, to the Kingdom of Heaven." Catherine heard these words several times, and when our Lord repeated to her: "Fear nothing, be not troubled," she answered: "you are my God, and I am but thy little handmaid: may thy will ever be accomplished, but remember me and incline unto my aid, according to the greatness of thy mercy. " The vision disappeared, and Catherine reflected interiorly what that change could be, that was announced to her.
From day to day however, the grace of God increased in her soul, and the spirit of God so abounded within her, that she sung with the Prophet: "For thee my flesh and my heart hath fainted, O God of my heart, and my eternal inheritance." (Ps. lxxii. 26) and again, "I remember God, and was delighted, and being exercised my spirit swooned away." (Ps. lxxvi. 4) God therefore inspired her with the thought of receiving her divine Spouse as often as possible in the Holy Eucharist, since she could not enjoy him yet in Heaven — hence she adopted the habit of daily communion, except when hindered by her own indisposition and by the cares which she bestowed on others.
Her desire for frequent communion was so vehement ​when it was not satisfied she suffered so violently as to become in danger of death. Her body which participated in the joys of her spirit, necessarily shared in the pain attendant on its privations. We shall hereafter dilate on this subject; at present we intend explaining her miraculous way of living, according to her confessions to me, and the writings of her first confessor.
Heavenly favors and comforts so overwhelmed the soul of Catherine after that last vision, that they inundated, to speak, her body. Its vital functions became so modified, that food was no longer necessary to her, and aliments caused her serious suffering. When she was obliged to take food, she was so incommoded that it would not remain in the stomach — and it would be quite impossible to describe her grievous pains on such occasions. In the beginning, this state appeared incredible to all, even to her relatives and those who were truly attached to her, they called this extraordinary favor from God, a temptation or a snare of Satan. Even her Confessor commanded her to take food daily and not to give heed to any visions that would give her contrary advice.
In vain, Catherine assured him that she was well and strong, so long as she received no nourishment, and became sick and weak as soon as she used it, — he continually prescribed to her to eat; she obeyed through virtue, as far as she was able, but these endeavors reduced her to such a state that fears were entertained for her life. She therefore caused her Confessor to be called and said to him: "Father, if through excessive fasting, I was in danger of death, would you not prohibit me from fasting, so as to prevent me from committing suicide ? " Without doubt," answered her Confessor. "But," resumed she, "is it not so bad to expose one's self to sin by eating as ​by fasting ? If therefore you see, by the numerous experiments of which you have been witness, that I am killing myself by taking nourishment, why do you not forbid me, as you would forbid me to fast, if the fast produced a similar result ?" There could nothing be said in reply to this reasoning, and her Confessor, who saw the danger to which he was exposing her, said to her: "Henceforth act according to the inspirations of the Holy Ghost, for I perceive that God is accomplishing marvelous things in you."
Catherine suffered excessively from her parents and friends. Those who surrounded her, measured her words and deeds, not by God's rule, but by the common one, and their own; they were in the valley and wished to judge concerning what was on the summit of the mountain; they ignored principles, yet would discourse prudently concerning consequences; the brightness of the light blinded them and prevented them from appreciating colors; they disturbed themselves unreasonably and blamed the rays of that radiant star; they wished to direct her whose lessons they could not even understand; night was reproaching day for its splendor. They secretly accused her, calumniated her under an appearance of zeal, and forced, as it were, her Confessor to deviate from her way. It would be too lengthy to describe the interior trials and anguish of Catherine. Devoted to obedience and self-contempt, she knew not how to excuse herself and dared not resist the orders of her Confessor, and yet she was convinced that the will of God was opposed to that of men; but in the fear of displeasing him, she could not decide to disobey and thus scandalize the neighbor. Prayer was her refuge, and she poured out at the Saviour's blessed feet tears of melancholy hope, humbly ​supplicating him to deign to make his will known to those who opposed her, above all to her Confessor, whom she dreaded to offend.
She could not say to him, as did the apostles to the chief priests: "It is better to obey God than men." (Acts V. 29) She would have been answered that the demon transforms himself into an angel of light; that we should not rely on our own prudence, but follow the counsels given. The Lord heard Catherine on this occasion as in others; he enlightened her Confessor, and changed his opinion; but that did not hinder others thinking ill of her, and failing in discernment. Had they examined attentively, how God had unveiled to her the artifices of Satan; how he had taught her to combat and obtain glorious victories; had they remarked to what a high degree she was endowed with the gift of understanding, and what reason she had to say with the Apostle: "we are not ignorant of its wickedness." Non enim ignoramus astucias ejus. (II. Cor. xi 11) — they would have observed silence, and not dared, in the imperfection of their knowledge, to exalt themselves above so perfect a master. Little rivulets ought not to change the course of majestic rivers; I have often said this formerly to those who censured Catherine, and I repeat it here, so that certain individuals may profit by it.
But let us return to our subject. The first time that these extraordinary facts occurred we were at the beginning of Lent, and Catherine supported by the grace of God, remained until the feast of the Ascension, without taking any corporeal nourishment, and without any diminution of strength or gaiety. Are not the fruits of the Holy Ghost, charity, joy and peace ? (Gal. v. 22) Did not the Eternal truth say, that man lives not by bread alone, ​but by every word that comes from the mouth cf God (Matt. iv. 4) and "the just live by faith." (Rom. i. 17) On the day of the Ascension she was able to eat, as our Lord had told her, and as she had announced to her Confessor. She ate in effect, bread and vegetables; she then recommenced her fast, and ended by observing it almost continually, interrupting it sometimes only, and at long intervals. While her body fasted, her soul took a more and more abundant nourishment. She approached as frequently as she could, the holy Table, and there derived every time, with ardor, a new supply of graces. Her organs had suspended their functions; but the Holy Spirit, which was acting in her, vivified at once her soul and body, and he that believes in divine things can affirm that her whole existence was supernatural and miraculous.
Often have I seen that feeble body reduced to the last extreme of weakness; but if in the moment that we expected to see her expire, an occasion presented of rendering any honor to God or aiding a soul, not only life returned to her, but with it such wonderful energy, that she walked, acted and performed more than those who were in good health, and without appearing to suffer the slightest fatigue. How explain this fact otherwise than by the action of the Holy Spirit, which sustained simultaneously the soul and body ? When she began to live without taking nourishment, her Confessor asked her if she did not sometimes experience an appetite. " God satisfies me so, "she answered, "in the holy Eucharist, that it is impossible for me to desire any species of corporal nourishment." And as her Confessor inquired whether she did not at least experience hunger on the days in which she did not communicate, "his sole ​presence satiates me," said she, "and I acknowledge even that it suffices for me to see a priest that has just said Mass, to be happy. "
Catherine was, therefore at once satisfied and fasting; deprived of all exteriorly, but abundantly nourished in the interior; thirsty in her body, but inundated in her soul, by torrents of living waters, and always when necessary strong and joyous. But the old and tortuous serpent could not endure such a great favor from Heaven, without seeking to empoison it with the venom of envy. He excited against the servant of God, on the occasion of her extraordinary fast, all those who knew her, whether laymen or Religious. We must not be astonished to find that even religious persons were opposed to her. When the self-love of such is not entirely dead, it sometimes arouses a more dangerous jealousy in them than in others, especially when they behold things which are impossible for them to attain. Let us recall the story of the Fathers of the celebrated Thebaide; one of the disciples of St. Macarius, having taken secular clothes, went out and presented himself at a considerable monastery, which was under the direction of St. Pacomius. At the earnest request of the Superior he entered the community; but the austerity of his life, and his extraordinary penances so frightened the other monks that they almost revolted against Pacomius, and came one day to tell him; "that unless he immediately dismissed this monk, they would one and all quit his monastery on that very day," If men who appeared to be almost perfect spoke in this manner, what might we not expect from those of our day ?
Every one murmured against Catherine's fast. Some said: No one is greater than our blessed Lord, who ate and drank. His glorious Mother did the same, as well as ​the Apostles, for their divine Master recommended them to eat and drink what they could find. Edentes et bibentes, quae apud illos sunt, (Luke, x. 1) Who can surpass, or even equal them ? Others said that all the Saints had taught, by their words and their examples, that we should never be singular in our way of living. Others pretended that all excess is vicious, and that such as fear God ought to avoid it. Others respected her intentions and only said that she was the victim of an illusion. Others again, more coarse and vulgar, calumniated her publicly, and repeated continually that it was a kind of vanity that prompted her to wish to be noticed; that she did not fast really, but fed herself well in secret. If I did not refute all these rash and absurd judgments, I should think that I was offending God. I pray, therefore, that it be remarked, that if the objection that is drawn from our Lord, the Blessed "Virgin and the Apostles be just, it would follow that St. John the Baptist was greater than our Lord himself: for it is said of him in the Gospel that John neither eat nor drank, while the Son of Mary on the contrary ate and drank. (Matt. xi. 18) it would also follow that Anthony, the Macariuses, the Hilariens, the Serapions and many other hermits, who fasted more than the Apostles, consequently surpassed them. If it be objected that John in the wilderness, and the monks in Egypt did not entirely fast, but took from time to time some food, what shall be said of St. Mary Magdalen, who remained thirty-three years in a grotto, without touching any nutriment, as is related in history, and the place in which she dwelt also proves, which was, at that time, inaccessible. What shall be said of the saints who also passed considerable time without eating, and who contented themselves for the most part of ​the time with receiving holy Communion on Sunday. No, let those who are unaware, be informed that sanctity is not measured by fasting but by holy charity: let them know that we should not decide upon things with which we are not acquainted, and also hear the words of incarnate wisdom on this subject. (Luke, vii. 32) " Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation ? and to what are they like ? They are like children sitting in the marketplace, and speaking one to another, and saying: we have piped to you, and you have not danced: we have mourned, and you have not wept?" And our Lord adds. "John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and you say: he has a devil. The son of man is come eating and drinking; and you say, that he is a glutton and a drinker of wine." These words of the Saviour refute those who offered the first named objection to Catherine.
As to the second, those who avoid all extraordinary ways, we may easily reply, that if a soul ought not to adopt these ways through an impulse of self-will, she ought to follow them with gratitude, when God deigns to indicate them; she would otherwise despise his grace, and when the Scripture says that the just man ought not to seek what is above him, he adds directly: For many things are shown to thee above the understanding of men (Eccl. iii. 25) That is, thou must not be inquisitive concerning things above thee; but if God reveals it to thee, be thankful. This happened in the case of which we are now speaking; the agency of God was manifest and no one had a right to apply the common rule. The servant of God concealed this under the veil of sincere humility, when she answered those who asked her why she took no nourishment: "God," said she, "on account of my ​sins, has stricken me with this infirmity which prevents me from taking food; I desire to eat, but it is impossible. Ask God, I entreat you to pardon the sins for which I am suffering. "As if she had said, God is the author of this and not myself. So as to destroy even the appearance of vanity, she attributed the whole to her sins, and in so doing she did not speak in contradiction with what she thought, because she was persuaded that God permitted the false judgments of men, for the punishment of her faults: she imputed to herself all the ill that happened, and to God alone all the good. This was her rule in every circumstance. What we have just advanced should also serve as a reply to those who recommend the avoiding of extremes. An extreme is never culpable when God indicates it, and in such a case, man ought not to shun it.
As to such as pretend that she was in illusion, I beg them to be so kind as to answer me — if hitherto Catherine had perfectly triumphed over the snares and temptations of the demon, is it probable that she would have yielded in this circumstance ? But admit this, who could preserve the strength of her body: if we say that the devil could do it, who could have maintained her mind in joy and peace, when it was deprived of all interior comfort ? These are fruits of the Holy Spirit which the demon never could produce; it is written that the fruits of the Holy Ghost are charity, joy and peace." (Gal v. 22. ) and it is impossible to attribute them to the enemy of salvation. May we not on the contrary suspect him who would say the opposite, of being the sport of the evil spirit ? If the devil were capable of seducing her who had so frequently defeated his wiles in her own soul and in the souls of others, her whose body lived and was ​sustained in a supernatural manner, her whose soul enjoyed continual peace and spiritual joy, how much mow rational is it to presume that he is deceived to whom none of these circumstances have occurred . It is highly probable that if any one be deceived, it is not she who had been preserved previously. In fine it is better to answer nothing to skillful calumniators, they merit only the contempt of upright persons. What degree of virtue would they not attack; those who resemble them, called our Blessed Saviour, a demon, why should they not defame his faithful servant.
Catherine full of the spirit of prudence and desirous of imitating her divine Master, remembered that when St. Peter asked him for the two didrachmas that he was obliged to pay for the tax, he proved to him that he was exempt; but that he added: "But that we may not scandalize them, go to the sea, and cast in a hook: and that fish which shall first come up take; and when thou has opened its mouth, thou shalt find a stater; take that, and give it to them for thee and me." (Matt. xvii. 26) Catherine was willing to appease their murmurs and determined that every day, she would go once and take a seat at the common table, and endeavor to eat. Although she used neither meat, nor wine, nor drink, nor eggs, and did not even touch bread, what she took or rather what she tried to take, caused her such sufferings that those that saw her, however hard-hearted they were, were moved to compassion: her stomach could digest nothing, and rejected whatever was taken into it; she afterwards suffered the most terrible pains and her whole body appeared to be swollen; she did not swallow the herbs which she masticated, she only drew from them their juice and rejected their substance. She then took pure water to cool ​her month; but every day, she was forced to throw up what she had taken, and that with so much difficulty, that it was necessary to assist her by every possible means.
As I was frequently witness of this Buffering, I felt an extreme compassion for her, and I counseled her to let men talk, and spare herself such torture; she answered me with a smile: " Is it not better to expiate my sins at present, and not be punished during all eternity ? The judgments of men are very profitable to me, since they cause me to avoid infinite pains by enduring these transient ones; no ! I certainly ought not to shun God's justice, and the great grace he accords me of allowing me to make satisfaction in this world." She was so convinced that she was thus paying a debt of justice to God, that she said to her companions: " Come let us do fit justice to this miserable sinner." In this way all the persecutions of men and all the attacks of Satan contributed to her perfection.
One day as we were conversing together of God's graces, she said to me: "Did we but know how to use the graces that God bestows on us, we would profit by all that happens to us. In favorable events or in contradictions, say always: "I must reap something from this. were you to act thus, you would very soon be rich." Alas ! how much I might have profited by this lesson and numerous others. But you, my reader, do not imitate me, but meditate her instruction and follow her example. I entreat the Author of all good to enlighten you, and grant me also light to imitate this holy soul with courage and perseverance, with this I terminate this chapter, in which I have just told what I learned from Catherine her self or the Confessor that preceded me.
Chapter V
Of Catharine's Wonderful Ecstasies And Of The Great Revelations Which She Received From God.
Our Lord, who had bestowed on his Spouse a corporal life so extraordinary, also treated her soul in a marvelous manner, and favored it with ineffable consolations; her physical strength was supernatural and had its source in the abundance of grace, that she received; hence having spoken of the prodigy of her material existence, it is suitable also to speak of the miracles by which her soul was enriched. From the moment in which this holy virgin allayed her thirst at the wounded side of our Lord, grace was so abundant and supreme in her soul, that she was, we may say, in a continual ecstasy. Her mind was so constantly and intimately united to her Creator, that the inferior part of her being ordinarily ceased its functions. A thousand times we have been witnesses of it: we saw and touched her arms and hands, so strongly contracted that they could have been more easily broken than their position changed. Her eyes were entirely closed, her ears heard no noise, however great it might be, and all her corporal senses became powerless. And all this will not surprise, if attention be given to what follows. God began from that time to manifest himself to his Spouse, not only when she was alone, as formerly, but in public, when she walked, or when she was remaining tranquil; and the fire of love that inflamed her heart was so great, that she told her Confessor that it was impossible to find expressions to depict what she experienced.
​One day, in the fervor of her prayer, she said with the Prophet: "Create within me God a new heart," etc. And supplicated our Lord to condescend to take away her own heart and her own will. It seemed to her that her Spouse presented himself to her, opened her left side, took out her heart and carried it with him, so that in reality she no longer perceived it in her breast. This vision was striking and her attendant symptoms agreed with it so well, that when she spoke of it to her Confesssor, she assured him that she had really no heart. Her Confessor began to laugh, and rebuked her for saying any thing of the kind, but she only renewed her assurance. "Really, Father," said she to him, "as far as I can judge of what I experience in my person, it seems to me that I have no heart. The Lord appeared to me, opened my left side, drew out my heart, and went away." And, as her Confessor declared to her that it would be impossible to live without any heart, she answered that nothing was impossible with God, and that she had a heart no longer. Some days later, she was in the Chapel of the Church of the Friar Preachers, in which the Sisters of Penance of St. Dominic assemble: she remained there alone so as to continue her prayer, and was disposing herself to return home, when on a sudden she saw herself environed with a light from Heaven, and amid this light, the Saviour appeared to her, bearing in his sacred hands a Heart of bright red and radiating fire. Deeply affected with this presence and this splendor, she prostrated herself on the ground. Our Lord approached, opened anew her left side, placed in t the Heart which he bore, and said to her: "Daughter", the other day I took thy heart, to-day I give thee mine, and this will henceforward serve thee." After these words he closed ​her breast; but, as a token of the miracle, he left there a scar that her companions have frequently assured me they had seen, and when I questioned her pointedly on this subject, she avowed to me that the incident was really true, and that from that period she had adopted the custom of saying: "My God, I recommend to thee thy Heart."
When Catherine had obtained that heart in so sweet and wonderful a manner, the abundance of grace which her soul possessed, rendered her exterior actions more and more perfect and multiplied the divine revelations in the interior. She never approached the altar, without seeing some beautiful vision superior to the senses, above all when she received holy communion. She often perceived in the priest's hands a new born infant, or a lovely youth, sometimes a furnace of fire, into which the priest seemed to enter at the moment in which he consumed the adorable Eucharist. Commonly she perceived so delicious and penetrating an odor, when she received the sacred Host, that she was on the point of swooning away. As soon as she approached the Holy Sacrament of the Altar, an ineffable joy was awakened in her soul, and caused her heart to beat so violently, that persons who surrounded her could distinctly hear it. Friar Thomas was advertised of this, and being her Confessor, he verified this circumstance with great care and affirmed it in his writings. This noise, occasioned by the beating of the heart, did not at all resemble any thing that could have been produced by the organs; it was something singular and supernatural, effected solely by the power of the Creator. Did not the Prophet say — "My heart and my flesh shall exult in the Lord." Cor meum et caro mea exultaverunt in Deum vivum. (Ps. lxxiii. 3) The Prophet ​styles God the living God, because that agitation, that trembling which comes from him, purifies man, instead of putting him to death.
After that wonderful exchange of hearts, Catherine appeared to herself to have undergone an amazing change: " Father, " said she to her Confessor, "do you not perceive that I am no longer the same: I am completely changed: Oh ! did you but know what I experience I No, — certainly, if it were comprehended what passes within my soul, there would be no harshness nor pride that could resist it. All that I can say falls short of reality." She sought however to give an idea: "My soul" said she, "is so inebriated with joy and delight, that I am astonished that it remains in my body. Its ardor is so great, that external fire is as naught in comparison with it; it seems to me that I should find refreshment in that. And this ardor operates in me such a renovation of purity and humility, that I feel as though I had returned to my fourth year of age. The love of the neighbor also augments in me to such a degree, that it would be my greatest pleasure to die for any one." All this she told her Confessor in secret, and concealed it as far as possible from others. These confidential interviews display the abundance of grace that the Lord poured into the soul of his servant. If I were to extend the subject, I should fill volumes; but I limit myself to citing some facts which prove more evidently the sanctity of Catherine. Among these facts, I cannot pass in silence the admirable visions which she received from Heaven. One day the King of kings and the Queen his Mother, appeared to her with St. Mary Magdalen, to console and fortify her. Our Lord said to her: "What wilt thou, which wilt thou choose, thine or mine ?"
​Catherine wept and humbly replied, like St. Peter; "Lord, thou know what I will, thou know that I have no other will than thine, and that thy Heart is my heart." Then the thought was suggested to her that Mary Magdalen gave herself totally to our Lord, when she bathed his sacred feet with her tears; and as she felt the sweetness and the love which that Saint then experienced, her eyes remained fixed upon her. Our Lord to correspond to her desires, said to her. "My beloved daughter, in order to sustain thee, I give thee, Mary Magdalen for mother; thou can address thyself to her in all assurance, I charge her with you in a special manner." Catherine was profoundly moved to thanksgiving and recommended herself with fervor to Mary Magdalen; she humbly implored her to watch over her salvation, since the Son of God had entrusted her to her care. From that moment she enjoyed a tender devotion towards that Saint, and always called her Mother. There is, it appears to me, a signification in these relations with Mary Magdalen that we ought to observe. That Saint passed thirty-three years on a rock, without taking any nourishment and in continual contemplation; those years represent the life of our Lord upon earth; Catherine, from that apparition, until her thirty-third year, (in which she died,) was so absorbed in divine contemplation, that she had no need of any aliment and lived by the graces that superabounded in her soul. Mary Magdalen, seven times a day was borne towards heaven by Angels, and beheld the secrets of God; Catherine was continually ravished in celestial contemplation, in order to praise God and the Angels, and her body was often raised above the earth, in presence of a multitude of witness. Hence she saw, as I will relate, admirable ​things while in those ecstasies, and she sometimes expressed during them most sublime truths.
I saw her one day ravished out of her senses, and I heard her speaking in an under-tone; I approached her and heard her perfectly say in Latin " Vidi arcana Dei," "I saw the secrets of God," she added nothing to this phrase, but continually repeated, "I saw the secrets of God." Long after, when she was restored to herself she still repeated the same words; I wished to know why: "Mother," said I, to her, "why pray, do you constantly repeat the same words, and not explain them to us by speaking to us as usual." " It is impossible for me," said she "to say anything else, or to say it otherwise." "But why ? you are accustomed to tell as what God has revealed to you, when we do not interrogate you, why do you decline answering, when we inquire of you." "I should reproach myself," said she to me, " in undertaking to express to you what I saw, as guilty of vain words: it seems to me that I should blaspheme God and dishonor him by my language. The distance is so broad between what my spirit contemplated, when ravished in God, and whatever I could describe to you, that I should think that I was falsifying, in speaking to you of them. I must therefore not attempt their description; all that I can say is, that I saw ineffable things!"
It was quite natural that Providence should unite Catherine and Mary Magdalen by the ties of mother and daughter, because they so resembled each other in their fast, their love and in their contemplations, When Catherine spoke of this favor, she merely said, that a sinner had been given for daughter, to a saint that had formerly sinned, so that the mother, by remembering the frailty of nature, and God's plentiful mercy, might compassionate ​her daughter's weakness and obtain her pardon.
Brother Thomas, her first Confessor, in the notes that he left concerning, his vision, relates that it seemed to her "that her heart entered into our Lord's side, to be united and blended with his Heart. She felt her soul dissolved as it were, in the flames of his love, and cried out within herself; "My God! you have wounded my heart ! My God ! you have wounded my heart !" Friar Thomas says that this apparition took place in 1370, on the feast of St. Margaret — virgin and martyr. The same year, on the day following, St. Laurence, her Confessor, dreading that the priests who were celebrating Mass might be disturbed by her sighs and her sobs, recommended her to subdue and conceal them as much as possible, when she would be near the altar. The obedient Catherine remained apart and besought God to make known to her Confessor, the difficulty of retaining these exterior marks of the love of God; her Confessor declared that she was so perfectly heard, that he declined ever making her any similar recommendation again. I presume that it was through humility, that he would not say any more, and that he learned by a happy experience, how impossible it is to suppress within one's self such transports. Catherine, thus remote from the altar, experienced a burning desire for receiving the holy Communion; her heart cried loudly and her lips softly: " Ah ! would that I could receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ !" The Saviour to satisfy her desire appeared to her, and approaching, suffered her to apply her mouth to the wound of his sacred side, permitting her to content her desire for his sacred body and blood. Catherine eagerly sought the blessed source and drew long-drawn draughts.
​The sweets which then filled her soul were so excessive, that she believed she would really suffer death from their exquisiteness, and when her Confessor asked her to describe what she experienced, she replied to him that it would be impossible for her to give him to understand it
There also happened to her a circumstance quite wonderful, in the same year, on the feast of Saint Alexis: while she was in prayer the night preceding the festival, and sighed interiorly to receive holy Communion, it was revealed to her that she should receive on the morrow. She was often deprived of this favor, through the neglect or fault of the Brethren and Sisters who at that time directed the Congregation. As soon as she had received this promise, she supplicated our Lord to condescend to purify her soul, so as to render it more worthy of so great a Sacrament.
Immediately, she felt descending on her soul, as it were, a rain of blood mingled with fire, and this rain washed her soul so completely that it penetrated to her very body, and banished not only the stains but even the first principles of evil. When daylight dawned, the sickness which she was enduring at that moment was so aggravated, that it appeared unreasonable to think of taking a single step. But Catherine aware of what had been promised her, put her trust in God, arose and directed her steps towards the Church, to the great astonishment of every one.
When she arrived there and had taken a place in a chapel beside the Altar, she remembered that her Superiors had not allowed her to receive the Communion indiscriminately, from the hands of all those who might celebrate Mass: she therefore desired that her Confessor might come to say his Mass at the Altar where she was praying. God showed her how much he took pleasure ​in satisfying her desires. Her Confessor, in his notes which he left, says that he did not intend celebrating Mass on that day, and that he was quite ignorant of her arrival; but grace suddenly touched his heart and gave him such an attraction for the holy Mysteries, that he yielded without delay, and went precisely to the altar at which Catherine awaited him, although it was not the one that he habitually used. There he found his spiritual daughter who asked him for the holy Communion, and he comprehended that he was the instrument of Providence; he therefore celebrated the Mass and gave Catherine the holy Communion. When she advanced towards the altar, her face was red, shining, and bathed in tears and perspiration; she received the Holy Communion with a devotion that deeply moved her Confessor, and filled him with admiration. Then she remained totally absorbed in God, lost in the inebriation of his heavenly communications, and during that day, even after having recovered the use of her senses, she remained incapable of utterance.
On the morrow, her Confessor asked her what had happened to her at the moment of receiving holy Communion, when her countenance was so red. "Father," said she to him, " I know not of what color I was, but I assure you that at the instant in which I partook of the Holy Eucharist, my senses discerned nothing corporal or colored; but my soul contemplated a beauty, relished a sweetness that no expression can render. What I beheld so attracted me, that things of earth seemed to me but emptiness and dust; and this, not only of wealth and sensual pleasures, but also of the enjoyments of the mind and heart. I implored God to deprive me of them completely, so that I might only please him and possess him. ​I entreated him to take away my will and give me His and he in mercy heard my prayers; for thus he answered me !" Dearest daughter, I give thee my will, and this shall be the proof of it, that no exterior event can trouble thee or change thee." This promise God fulfilled; all who were acquainted with her can testify to it, from that moment Catherine was satisfied in every circumstance and occurrence, and no event however contradictory ever disturbed her.
Catherine said to her Confessor, on this occasion: "Father, do you know what our Lord did today in my soul? He acted as a tender mother towards her much loved babe, she extends her arms from a little distance so as to excite a desire, and when her son has wept a few instants, she smiles, seizes him, clasps him closely to her heart, and then satisfies his craving thirst. Our blessed Lord did the same with me; he showed me in the distance the wound of his side; the desire that I felt to cement my lips to it excited me to burning tears; he laughed during some moments of my grief; then he hastened to me, and took my soul in his arms, and placed my mouth upon his sacred wound, and then my soul was able to satisfy its desires, to hide itself in his sacred breast, and there find heavenly consolations. Oh I did you but know, you would be amazed that my heart is not consumed with love, and that I yet live after experiencing those holy ardors!"
In the same year, on the eighteenth of the month of August, God manifested his power again, in Catherine. She communicated in the morning, and, at the moment in which the Priest, holding the sacred Host, invited her to say: "Lord, I am not worthy thou should enter" into my heart, etc., she beard a voice answering: "And ​I, I am worthy of entering into thee." When she received the Communion, it seemed to her, that, as the fish which is in the water is penetrated by the water, her soul was in God, and God in her soul. She was so absorbed in her Creator, that she could scarcely return to her cell; she laid down on the planks that served as her bed, and remained there a long time motionless; then her body was raised in the air, and remained there without any sort of support. Three persons, whose names I will give, were witnesses of that prodigy and have affirmed it. At length her body lowered to the bed, and she began to say in a low voice such sweet and admirable things, that her companions, on hearing them, could not restrain their tears. She afterwards prayed for several persons, — she named some of them, her Confessor among others, who was then in the Church of the Friar Preachers, and who was not thinking of anything capable of exciting him to a particular fervor. He wrote, himself, that he was at the moment in nowise disposed to experience sensible devotion. But suddenly while she was praying, (it being unknown to him,) a wonderful change was effected in his soul; he became wrapt in an extraordinary fervor such as he had never experienced, and he examined his own dispositions to learn whence came this grace. Amid these reflections, one of Catherine's companions came, by chance, to speak to him, and she said to him: " Father, at such an hour Catherine prayed most fervently for you." Then the Confessor understood why, at that very hour, he had experienced such a special devotion. He then questioned the person more particularly, and was informed by her, that, in the prayer for him and others, Catherine had asked of God the promise of their eternal salvation. She had stretched forth her hands saying: ​"Promise me that you will grant it." And while her hand was extended, she appeared to feel a sharp pain which obliged her to exclaim, with a sigh: Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ ! She was accustomed to this aspiration in her most poignant sufferings. Then her Confessor went to see her, and required her to narrate the whole vision. She was obliged to obey, and after telling what we have related above, she added: "When I implored your eternal salvation with earnestness, God promised it to me, but I desired to retain a testimony of it, and I said to him: "Lord, grant me a token of what thou wilt do," and he replied: "Reach here with your hand." I extended my hand; he took a nail, and putting the point in the middle of my hand, he pressed on it with such power, that it seemed to me that my hand was transpierced; I felt just such a pain, as it seems to me, would be felt, if a nail had been driven with a hammer. Hence, thank God, I now have his holy stigma in my right hand; no one sees it, but I feel it very sensibly and suffer from it continually,"
In continuation of the same subject, I will here relate what occurred a long time after, at Pisa, and in my presence. When she came to this place I, with certain other persons, accompanied her. She received hospitality at the house of an inhabitant, near the little Church of St. Christina. On Sunday I celebrated Mass there, and gave her the holy Communion. She remained afterwards a long time in ecstacy, according to her custom; her soul which sighed after her Creator, separated itself, as much as it could, from the body. We waited until she had resumed her senses, in order to receive some spiritual consolations, when on a sudden we saw her body that was prostrate on the ground, rise a little, kneel, ​and extend its hands and arms. Her countenance was inflamed; she remained a long time motionless and with her eyes closed. Then, as though she had received a deathly wound, we saw her suddenly fall, and resume a few moments after the use of her senses. She sent for me and said to me in a low tone: " Father, I announce to you that, by the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, I bear his sacred stigmata in my body. " I answered her, that I suspected after what passed in her ecstacy, and I asked what our Lord did to her. "I saw," said she, "my crucified Saviour who descended upon me with a great light; the effort of my soul to go forth to meet its Creator, forced my body to arise.
"Then from the five openings of the sacred wounds of our Lord, I saw directed upon me bloody rays which struck my hands, my feet and my heart. I understood the mystery, and cried out: Ah ! Lord my God, I entreat thee, that these cicatrixes may not appear exteriorly on my body. While I was speaking, the bleeding beams became brilliant, and reached in the form of light, these five places on my person, my hands, my feet and my heart." Then I said to her, did no beam of light reach your right side? She replied to me: " No, on the left side and directly above the heart. The luminous line that emanated from the right side, did not strike me obliquely but directly." "Do you feel," said I, "a sharp pain in each of those places?" she then answered me, heaving a deep sigh: "I feel at these five places, and especially in my heart, a pain so violent, that without a new miracle, it appears to me impossible to live in this state."
These words filled me with grief, and I examined whether I could observe any signs of her grievous sufferings. When she had finished what she had confided ​to me, we went out of the chapel, in order to repair to the house where she resided. Scarcely had we arrived than she retired into her apartment, and fell unconscious. We collected around her, and seeing her in this state we all wept, and feared losing her, whom we loved in the Lord. We had frequently witnessed her in ecstacies which deprived her of the use of the senses, and which weighed down her body, under thanksgiving, but we had never seen her in such a profound suspension of the vital powers. A little after, she came to herself and repeated to me that she was certain, that if God did not come to her aid, she would soon die. I immediately assembled her spiritual children and I conjured them with tears, to ask with united prayers that God would spare us yet a while our beloved Mother and mistress, and not leave us orphans amid the tempests of the world, before we were strengthened in virtue. All promised with generous hearts, and went to her dissolved in tears and said: "O Mother we know that you languish for the presence of your Spouse; but your recompense is secured. Rather take compassion on us; we are yet too weak to be abandoned to the fury of waves. We know that your beloved Spouse refuses nothing to the ardor of your prayers and we entreat you to ask him not to deprive us of your presence yet, because we may be lost if you cease to conduct us. We ask it ourselves with all our strength; but alas I we feel that we are unworthy to be heard; you so ardently desire our salvation, obtain for us what we cannot obtain." She replied to our tears and lamentations: "It is long since I have renounced my own will, and I have no wish for myself nor for others except what God wills. I desire your salvation with my whole soul, but I know that He who is the salvation of all, can secure it ​better than any creature whatsoever; therefore let him will be accomplished in all things. However I will cheerfully ask that he will do what is for the best." On hearing these words we remained in the deepest affliction — but Almighty God despised not our tears. On the following Saturday Catherine sent for me, and said: "It appears to me that the Lord is disposed to grant your petition, and I trust that you will soon be satisfied." All happened as she had said. On the following day, Sunday, after having received holy Communion she fell into an ecstacy, as on the preceding Sunday; but her body, instead of appearing reduced under the divine action seemed on the contrary to resume its vigor. Her companions were astonished at not seeing her suffer as much as in her other ecstacies; she appeared rather to revive and renovate her strength by a natural slumber. I told them, that I hoped according to the promises sh© had made to me yesterday, our tears which had implored God for her recovery, had gone up favorably before God. She was hastening to join her Sponse but it was necessary to retrace her steps, in order to assist us in our misery. In effect, when she resumed her consciousness, she appeared so strong that no one doubted that she had been heard. O Father of mercies ! what wilt thou not do for thy faithful servants and thy beloved children, if thou be compassionate with so much bounty those who have offended thee ! So as to be more certain of what had transpired, I said to her: Mother, do you continue to suffer the same anguish in the wound that you received ? She answered — "The Lord has granted your prayers, to the great regret of my soul. Not only my wounds do not cause my body to suffer, they sustain and fortify it, I see that what formerly weakened me, now relieves me," ​I have recounted these details to collect them with other celestial favors received by this holy soul, and I add that it must be remarked that sinners who pray for their salvation, are heard by Him who wills in his love, the salvation of the whole world.
Were I to recount all Catherine's ecstacies, time rather than materials would fail me. I therefore hastened to arrive at a circumstance which surpasses all the others, and which will terminate this chapter. I found four written books of Friar Thomas her Confessor, entirely filled with her admirable visions and revelations the most sublime. Sometimes our Lord introduced her soul into the wound of his side, and initiated her into the mysteries of the adorable Trinity: sometimes his glorious Mother imparted refreshing beverage to her from her virginal breast, and filled her with unspeakable delight; and again Mary Magdalen came to converse familiarly with her, and related to her the divine communications which she received seven times a day in the desert. Sometimes the three came together to pay her a friendly visit, and infused into her soul ineffable consolations. Other saints did not neglect her, particularly Saint Paul, whose name she never heard pronounced without evidencing a visible delight. St. John Evangelist, sometimes St. Dominic, frequently St. Thomas Aquinas and still oftener the blessed Agnes of Monte Pulciano, whose life I wrote twenty-five years ago. It had been revealed to her that she would be her companion in Paradise, as we shall see in the sequel. But before giving my promised narration, I ought not, for the utility of my readers, pass in silence, a circumstance relative to St. Paul. Catherine had an ecstacy on the day of that Saint's conversion, and her spirit was so absorbed in the contemplation of heavenly ​things, that during three days and three nights her body remained insensible; several persons present thought that she was dead, or at the point of death. Others better informed, believed that she was ravished with the Apostle to the third heaven. When the ecstacy had terminated, her mind remained so filled with the remembrance of what she had seen that she returned with difficulty to things of earth, and remained in a kind of slumber or inebriate from which she could not be aroused. In the mean while. Friar Thomas, her Confessor, and Friar Donato of Florence, determined to pay a visit to a venerable monk of the Order of Hermits, who resided in the country. They first came to see Catherine, whom they found in her holy somnolence and all inebriated with the spirit of God. To try to awaken her, they said "We are going to visit the Hermit, who lives out in the country — will you come with us?" Catherine, who liked such pilgrimages, answered yes in the midst of her drowsiness. But scarcely had she uttered this word, than she began to repent of it, as of a falsehood. The grief that she suffered, restored her completely to her senses, and she mourned this fault as many days and nights as she had been in ecstacy, "the most wicked and guilty of women," said she to herself "is it thus thou recognize the graces that God's infinite bounty has just granted thee; is it thus thou do profit by the verities that you have learned from heaven! Have the sublime instructions of the Holy Ghost only taught thee to lie, when returning to earth. Thou know full well, that thou had no intention of accompanying those Religious, and answered them, "yes." You have told a falsehood to thy Confessor and to the fathers of thy soul; what a grievous and aggravated fault! " She remained ​without drinking or eating as long as her ecstacy had endured.
Let the Reader here remark how "admirable are the ways of God, and how worthy to be praised." That the sublimity of her revelations might not swell her with pride, God permitted Catherine to fall into this deceit, if we may call falsehood a word without intention of deceiving and without attaching any importance to it; this humiliation served to induce her to be more vigilant over the treasure entrusted to her, and her body which had been so to speak, oppressed by the elevation of the mind, was restored in a manner by its abasement. Although the joy of the soul is sensible to the body, on account of their intimate union, still the ravishment to the third heaven, that is to say, to the intellectual vision, so deprives the body of its particular life, that a new miracle is necessary to preserve it from death. It is certain that the act of the understanding does not require the mediation of the body, except to represent to itself the immaterial object; but if this object presents itself supernaturally to the mind, by the omnipotent effect of grace, the understanding finds the plenitude of its perfection in Christ and endeavors to unite itself to him, by abandoning the body. Sometimes the Dispenser of all good elevates the intelligence that he created, by showing to it his light; sometimes he humbles it by permitting some fall, in order to exhibit to it at once the divine perfection and its own weakness He thus sustains it in a happy mean, which saves it and conducts it through the storms of this world to the port of a blessed Eternity, "for virtue is perfected in weakness." (I Cor. xvi. 9) and also, Ne magnitudo revelationum extollat ne datus est mihi stimulus carnis mece. (I Cor. xvi, 7. ) To return to our subject, Catherine did not disclose ​to any one, not even to her Confessor as was usual with her, what she beheld in this ecstacy, because as she afterwards told me, she could find no expression for rendering things, which according to St. Paul, it is not permitted to man to recount: but the ardor of her heart, the continuity of her prayer, the efficacy of her teaching, proved sufficiently that she had seen heavenly secrets which none can understand without witnessing them.
At the same time, she told her Confessor, who transferred her relation to writing, that St. Paul, the Apostle, had appeared to her and warned her to apply continually to meditation. She obeyed with earnestness. On the vigil of the Feast of St. Dominic, while she was praying in the church she received great revelations concerning St. Dominic and several saints of his Order. These revelations or visions were so vivid, that she often thought that she still saw them when she was describing them to her Confessor; this was a proof that God wished her to make them known for the benefit of the faithful. On that day, therefore, a little before Vespers, while she was receiving these revelations. Friar Bartholomew of St. Dominic, of Sienna, happened to enter the church. He is now a doctor in theology; he was then the friend of Catherine's Confessor, who placed great confidence in him also, and took him for her Confessor when her own was absent. She was aware of his arrival more by an effect of her mind than of her exterior senses; she arose directly, and went and informed him that she had something to communicate to him. When they had gone aside in the church, she related what God had shown her concerning St. Dominic. "At this moment," said she to him, "I see St. Dominic more distinctly and perfectly than I see you. He is more intimately present to me." ​But as she was conversing on the subject, her brother, whose name also was Bartholomew, passed by: his shadow or the noise he made in passing by, attracted during an instant, Catherine's attention, who scarcely turned her eyes, but yet sufficiently to recognize him; she afterwards resumed her position, but suddenly her moans and tears prevented her from speaking.
The Religious waited some time before engaging her to continue what she had commenced; but her sobs rendered it impossible for her to continue. At length, after a tedious interval, she began to utter these interrupted phrases: "Alas, wretch that I am, who will take vengeance on me for my iniquities ? who will punish me for such an enormous fault?" And as the Religious inquired what sin she had committed: "Did you not see," said she, "that at the very moment in which God was showing me his wonders, I turned my head and eves to look at a person passing by ?" "But," said the Religious, " you looked so short a time that I did not even perceive it." "If you knew," replied she, "the reproaches that the Blessed Virgin made to me, you would assist me to weep for my fault !" She immediately ceased speaking of her vision, wept until she had confessed, and then retired to her cell, still weeping.
St. Paul appeared to her, according to what she told her Confessor, and rebuked her severely for the time she had lost in turning her head. She afterwards declared that she preferred confusion before the whole world, rather than experiencing the shame excited by the reproach of the blessed Apostle. She said to her Confessor; " Imagine what it will be to bear the reproaches of Jesus Christ at the last judgment, if the reproach of his Apostle occasioned me so much shame." She added ​that she would have died of shame, if, during the time that the Apostle was reproving her, she had not continually seen a Lamb, all radiant with a sweet mild light. This imperfection which God permitted, was also a means of rendering her more humble and more prudent in preserving the graces that she had received. I have cited these two facts before concluding this chapter, because I think they are very capable of teaching humility, both to the perfect and to the imperfect.
St. Dominic called me to enter his Order in a miraculous manner. I acknowledge that I was not worthy of It; but I should be an ungrateful son, did I pass in silence the glory of my blessed Father, and hence I intend relating the revelation that Catherine had concerning him. Friar Bartholomew, of whom I have just spoken, and who is at present with me, related it to me exactly as she had related it to me on that very day.
Catherine asserted that she saw the Eternal Father producing from his mouth, his co-eternal Son, such as he was, when he clothed himself with human nature; and while she was contemplating him, she saw the blessed Patriarch St. Dominic come forth from the breast of the Father, all glittering with brightness, and she heard a voice which said: " Beloved Daughter, I have begotten these two Sons: one by nature, the other by a sweet and tender adoption." As Catherine was amazed at a comparison so elevated, which rendered equal so to speak, a saint with Jesus Christ — he who uttered these surprising words, explained them himself: " My Son engendered by nature from all eternity, when he assumed human nature, obeyed me in all things perfectly, until his death. Dominic, my son by adoption, from his birth until the last moment of his life, followed my will in all things. He ​never transgressed one of my commandments, never violated the virginity of either soul or body, and always preserved the grace of Baptism which regenerated him. My Son by nature, who is the eternal Word from my mouth, preached publicly to the world whatever I charged him to say, and he rendered testimony to the Truth as he himself declared to Pilate. My adopted Son Dominic also preached to the world the verity of my words; he spoke to heretics and to Catholics, not only personally but by others. His preaching continued in his successors, he still preaches and will always preach. My Son by nature sent his disciples, my son by adoption sent his religious; my Son by nature is my Word, my son by adoption is the herald, the minister of my Word. Therefore I have given a quite particular intelligence of my words to him and to his religious with fidelity to follow them. My Son by nature did all things in order to promote by his teaching and his example the salvation of souls. Dominic my son by adoption, used all his endeavors to draw souls from vice and error. The salvation of the neighbor was his principal thought in the establishment and development of his Order. Hence I have compared him to my Son by nature, whose life he imitated, and thou see that even his body resembles the sacred Body of my divine Son." It was while Catherine related this vision to friar Bartholomew that the circumstance above related transpired. Let us now pass to the vision which must terminate this chapter.
Abundance of graces and revelations so filled the soul of Catherine, at this epoch, that the excess of her love threw her into a state of real languor. This languor augmented so that she could not rise from her bed; and her illness was ardor for her holy Spouse, whom she continually ​called, as if beside herself; Sweetest, most amiable youth, Son of God and she sometimes added: And of the blessed Virgin Mary. These words were the flowery couch of her love, and on it she reposed without sleep and without food. But the Spouse who had excited in her soul this enthusiasm, so as to influence her more and more, visited her incessantly. Catherine all vehement with sacred desires said to him: "Oh ! why, my beloved Master does this miserable body deprive me of thy heavenly embrace ? Alas I in this melancholy life naught can afford me pleasure. I seek but thee; for if I indeed love any thing, it is simply on thy account. I implore thee, let this miserable body no longer prove an obstacle to my happiness. Oh ! the best of Masters draw my soul from this prison and deliver me from this body of death." The Lord thus answered these words that were interrupted with sobs: "Beloved daughter, when I dwelt among men, I accomplished not my will but my Father's; my disciples have rendered testimony of this; I desired greatly to eat with them the last Supper, and yet I waited with patience the moment fixed by my Father. Therefore notwithstanding the ardent desire that you have to be entirely united to me, you must wait my hour with resignation. " And Catherine replied: "Since thou wilt not consent, thy holy will be done. But yet, deign I conjure thee to hear a simple prayer: whatever be the duration thou shalt fix to my existence, grant me to participate in all the sufferings that you have endured until death. If I cannot be with thee now in Heaven, let me be united to thee at least in thy Passion on earth."
God accepted her prayer, and what she had asked was liberally granted to her; for she began, as she acknowledged to me, to suffer more and more in her soul and in ​her body, all the pains that Our Lord had experienced during his life; and, that it may be better understood. I will relate what she told us on the subject. She frequently conversed with me on the sufferings of our Lord, and assured me that from the moment of his conception, he had always borne the Cross in his soul, on account of the desire that he felt for the salvation of souls. He must have suffered cruelly until he had established, by his Passion, the honor of God and the happiness of the neighbor — and this torment of desire, is very great, those who have experienced it, know that it is the heaviest of crosses.
She also gave on the words of our Lord in the garden of Olives, an explanation that I do not remember to have read in any author. She said that by the words: "Father, let this chalice pass from me," (Matt. xxvi. 39) persons enlightened and fortified by grace ought not to believe, like feeble souls who fear death, that the Saviour implored to be spared his Passion: he had drunk from his birth, and according as the hour approached he drank more deeply that chalice of desire which animated him for the salvation of men. He rather implored the accomplishment of what he so ardently wished, the filling up of that Cup whose bitterness he had so long tasted. He was far from dreading his Passion and death, he on the contrary wished to advance the moment; he expressed this clearly when he said to Judas: Quod facis, fac citius " what thou do, do quickly." (John xiii. 27) But although that chalice of desire was the most painful to drink, he added in his filial obedience; "Nevertheless not my will but thine be done." Verumtamen non mea voluntas, sed tua fiat. He thus offered to suffer all the delays that it would please God to require in his Passion.
​I observed to her that ordinarily the Doctors explained this passage otherwise, and that according to them, the Saviour pronounced these words, as man, because he feared death naturally; and as chief of the elect, of those who are feeble as well as those who are strong; so as not to discourage the weak who dread death and present to all a salutary example. Catherine responded: "The actions of the Redeemer are so fruitful in instruction that by carefully meditating on them, each one finds the nourishment best suited to his soul's salvation. The weak can find consolation in our Saviour's prayer; but the strong and more nearly perfect soul should derive encouragement from it, and this would be impossible without the explanation that I have given you. It is more profitable to present several meanings, so that each individual may adopt the one most appropriate to the souls necessities." I kept silent and simply admired the grace and wisdom she had received from God.
I found also another explanation of these words in the manuscripts that Brother Thomas, Catherine's first Confessor, left concerning her. She said during one of her ecstacies, that the cause of our Saviour's sadness and bloody sweat in the Garden of Olives, was the foresight of so many souls failing of participation in the fruits of his Passion. But as he loved justice, he added: "Not my will but thine." Without that, said she, all men would have been saved, for it is impossible that the will of the Son of God should remain ineffectual. Which agrees perfectly with what the Apostle said to the Hebrews: Exauditus est pro sua reverentia (Heb. v. 7) The Doctors commonly apply this passage to the prayer in the Garden of Olives
She also told me on this subject that the dolora suffered by ​the Son of God, in his body, were so great, that they were sufficient to produce death a thousand times in any one who would have endured them. The Saviour's love being infinite, the pains that his love induced him to bear were also infinite and greatly surpassed all those that man's nature and malice could have caused him. The thorns of the mock crown pierced his head to the very brain, all his members were disjointed. (Ps. xxi. 18) And still so great was his love, that he not only supported these pains, but he procured himself still more terrible ones, in order to manifest himself to us more perfectly. Yes, this was one of the principal motives of his Passion: he desired to exhibit to us the immensity of his love, and he could not prove it more effectually. Love and not nails fastened him to the Cross; love and not men triumphed. How could they have been masters, since with one single word, he could have thrown them to the earth.
Catherine gave admirable explanations concerning the Passion of the Redeemer: she said that she had undergone in her body a portion of his sufferings, but it would be impossible to endure them completely. The greatest torment that Jesus Christ suffered on the Cross, was, she thought, the dislocation of the bones of the breast. She believed this, because the other tortures which she suffered in imitation of the Saviour, were transient, that alone was permanent; the pains in the side and head which she daily suffered were considerable, but those in the breast far surpassed them; and I easily believe it, both in reference to her and to our Lord, on account of the vicinity of the heart. The bones which are disposed in that portion of the human frame, for protecting the heart and lungs, cannot be displaced without gravely wounding the ​precious organs that they contain, and without a miracle this displacing must necessarily produce death. Catherine endured this torture during several days; her corporeal energies became enfeebled, but the ardor of her love only increased. She experienced in a sensible manner, how deeply the Saviour had loved her, and had loved all mankind, by undergoing such a painful Passion, and this produced such a vehement love, that the heart of Catherine was separated or literally broken and the links that bound it to life were supernatually destroyed.
The reader of these pages may perhaps doubt that such a death really took place, but let him know that it occurred in presence of several witnesses who have affirmed it. I also doubted; I went to Catherine in order to examine what she had experienced, and I requested her to manifest the whole truth. She then broke forth into sobs and moans, and after having obliged me to wait for her answer a considerable time, she at last said: "Father, would you not pity a soul that had been delivered from an obscure prison, and then plunged anew into darkness, after having enjoyed an extraordinary light ? This misfortune happened to me; divine Providence willed it on account of my faults."
These circumstances increased my desire of learning these details from her, and I added: " Mother, then your soul has been really separated from your body?" "Yes," said she to me, "the ardor of divine love was so vehement, the desire that I felt of being united to my Beloved was so forcible, that no heart, had it been composed of stone or of iron, could possibly have resisted, nothing created is sufficiently powerful to counteract such a force. Yes, be sure of it, the heart that beats in this poor frame was sundered by charity. I feel the place ​where it is divided. In consequence, my soul actually quitted my body, and I saw secrets of God, that I am incapable of telling on earth, because memory is too feeble, and language too poor for adequately rendering such noble themes. It would be presenting clay for gold. Only when I hear this state spoken of, I instantly feel a profound sorrow, on seeing, that I could descend from those heights to relapse again into the miseries of the world and I have only tears and sobs to express the keenness of my anguish."
Desiring to have a more complete knowledge of all that transpired, I said, "Mother, since you cheerfully confide to me your other secrets, I entreat you not to hide this, and to give me a full description of this wonderful event. I have been favored," said she "with many spiritual and corporeal visions: I had received ineffable consolations from our Lord, and the violence of pure love, had so weakened me physically, that I was obliged to keep my bed. There I prayed incessantly and supplicated God to deliver me from this body of death, in order to unite me more intimately to him. I did not obtain this grace, but it was granted me to be united, as far as I could be, to the pains of his Passion. "And she told me what has given above concerning our Lord's sufferings; then she added: "This share of pain that he condescended to impart to me, made known more distinctly and perfectly to me, my Creator's love; and mine augmented so, that I fell into a state of languor and my soul knew no other desire but that of quitting the body. How shall I describe it to you ? my Saviour daily animated more and more the fire which he had enkindled; my heart of flesh yielded, and love became strong as death. Yes my heart ​broke, my captive soul was freed from its bonds; but as me I for only too short a space of time."
"Mother," I rejoined, "how long did your soul remain separated from your body?' She answered me: "Persons who witnessed my death, say that I remained four hours without returning to life. A great many persons came to offer consolations to Mother and my family, but my soul had entered into eternity and indulged no thoughts of time."
I said: "What did you see, mother, during that time, and why did your soul return into the body. I beseech you do not conceal aught of this from me." She answered: "Know, father, that my soul entered into an unknown world, and beheld the glory of the just and the chastisement of sinners. But here also memory fails, and the poverty of language prohibits a full description of these things. I tell you however what I can; be assured therefore, that I saw the divine Essence, and for this I suffer so much in remaining enchained in this body. Were I not retained for the love of God and love of the neighbor, I should die of grief. My great consolation is to suffer, because I am aware that by suffering, I shall obtain a more perfect view of God. Hence tribulations, far from being painful to my soul, are on the contrary its delight. I saw the torments of Hell and those of purgatory; no words can describe them. Had poor mortals the faintest idea of them, they would suffer a thousand deaths rather than undergo the least of their torments during a single day. I saw in particular those punished who sin in the married state, by not observing the laws it imposes, and seeking in it naught but sensual pleasures. " And as I inquired why this sin, which was not worse than others, still received so rude a chastisement, she told me: ​"Because little attention is given to it, and consequently less contrition is excited for it, and it is more easily committed." And then she added: "Nothing is more dangerous than a fault, however small it may be, when he who commits it does not carefully purify his soul by penance."
Catherine afterwards continued what she had commenced: "While my soul contemplated these things, its celestial Spouse, whom it believed it possessed forever, said: "Thou see what glory they lose and torments they suffer who offend me. Return therefore to life and show them how they have strayed and what appalling danger menaces them." And as my soul was horrified at the idea of returning to life, the Lord added: "The salvation of many souls demands it; thou shalt no longer live as you have done, henceforth thou must renounce thy cell and continually pass through the city, in order to save souls. I will always attend thee, I will conduct thee and re-conduct thee, I will confide to thee the honor of my Holy Name, and thou shalt teach my doctrine to the lowly and the great, to laymen, priests and monks, I will impart to thee speech and wisdom which none can resist, I will place thee in the presence of Pontiffs, and the Rulers both of the church and of the people, so as to confound, in my way, and by this means the arrogance of the mighty. "While God thus addressed my soul, I suddenly found myself, without the capacity of explaining how, re-united to my body. Then I was so overcome with keen sorrow, that I shed copious and burning tears during three days and three nights: and when my mind dwells upon it, I cannot refrain from weeping, and father, it is not astonishing; what is much more so, is, that my heart is not crushed anew on recalling that glory which I ​then possessed and of which I am now deprived. The salvation of the neighbor is the cause of it; if I love so ardently the souls whose conversion God has confided to me, it is because they have cost me dear; they have separated me from my God, and deprived me of the enjoyment of his glory during a period to me unknown. But they will prove "my glory and my crown and my immortal joy." (Phil. iv. 1) I tell you these things, father, so as to console you for the anxiety caused you by those who murmur at the confidence I repose in you."
After God had bestowed on me the favor of hearing these things, I asked myself whether it was my duty to publish them at a time in which self-love renders men so blind and so incredulous. My Brethren and Sisters did not approve of my disclosing them during Catherine's life-time, and I remarked that several of those who at first followed her, when this circumstance, which they could not comprehend, was related to them went away. But now that she has gone to the home of the blessed, I thought myself obliged to speak; and I have revealed the whole, so that so great a miracle be not concealed through my fault. The following particulars give all possible authenticity to this event: at the approach of Catherine's death, the women who were with her and who were her daughters in the Lord, sent for Friar Thomas, her confessor, to assist her in her agony: he hastened there without a moments delay, with another Religious Friar Thomas Antonio, and began with tears to recite the customary prayers; the news spreading, another Religious, called Friar Antonio Bartholomew of Montucio, came speedily with John, a lay-brother of Sienna, now residing at Rome. These four Religious, ​all of whom still live, wept and prayed around the expiring Catherine.
At the moment in which Catherine was breathing her last sigh, Brother John felt such an intense grief, that the force of his sobs and cries ruptured a vein in his breast. He was immediately attacked with a violent cough and such a large hemorrhage that his state appeared desperate. This spectacle augmented the sorrow of the assistants: those who were grieving for Catherine's death, were soon also to be called to mourn that of the poor lay-brother. Then Friar Thomas, Catherine's Confessor, said, with strong faith, to Brother John: "I know the influence of that holy woman with God, you need only apply her hand to the place in which you suffer such violent pain, and you will certainly be cured." The Brother did it before the eyes of all present, and at the same moment he was as perfectly cured as if he had experienced no accident. Brother John related this incident to all who wish to hear it, and affirms it by an oath. Besides the Brothers whom I have just named, there were for witnesses her companion and her spiritual daughter Alessia, who now dwells with her in Heaven, whither she followed her shortly after her death. Nearly all the neighbors also saw Catherine dead, as well as the numbers of men and women who commonly present themselves in such circumstances, and no one had a doubt but that she had truly exhaled her last breath. As to the fact of the elevation of her body, which we described at the beginning of this chapter, it had for witnesses several Sisters of Penance of St, Dominic, among others, Catherine, daughter of Ghetto of Sienna, who was during a long time her inseparable companion.
Chapter VI
Of Miracles Wrought By Catharine'S Intercessions For Promoting The Salvation Of Souls
Were I obliged to recount all the miracles that God performed through the intercession of Catherine, for the salvation of souls, a chapter would not suffice, but several volumes would be necessary. In order not to be too lengthy, I have abridged as much as possible — what I relate will enable what I suppress to be comprehended; spirit is superior to matter, and miracles accomplished for the salvation of souls, surpass those performed for the health of the body. I will commence with the more noble, following generally the order of time in my recital, but I shall be occasionally forced to depart from the division I have attempted. These miracles, particularly which refer to souls have been ignored by men; they have sometimes no other proof than the confidence that she gave to me and to a few others; but this will not prevent pious persons from crediting them.
Catherine's father, Jacomo, (James) had recognized the holiness of his daughter, and entertained a respectful tenderness for her; he recommended all the members of his household not to contradict her in anything and to allow her to act according to her own views. Hence their affection daily grew stronger; Catherine prayed incessantly for the salvation of her father, while Jacomo delighted in the sanctity of his child, by whose merits he hoped to obtain grace before our Lord. At length ​Jacomo's term of life was drawing to a close, and he took to his bed being very seriously ill. Catherine began to intercede with her divine Spouse to obtain the restoration of one so tenderly loved, but He answered her that Jacomo was very near death, and that it would not be useful to him to live longer. Catherine therefore repaired to the bedside of her cherished parent, and found him wholly disposed to quit the world without regret, and she thanked God with all the fervor of her heart.
But her filial affection was not yet satisfied: she endeavored to obtain from the Source of all grace not only that her father's faults might be pardoned, but also that at the hour of death his soul might be borne to heaven without passing through the flames of purgatory. It was answered her that justice could not lose its rights, and that the soul must be perfectly pure to enjoy the splendors of glory. "Thy father has lived well in the conjugal state, has done many things acceptable to me, and I am in particular pleased with his conduct towards thee; but justice demands that his soul pass by the fire, to purify it from the stains that it has contracted in the world." " O most amiable Saviour," responded Catherine, "bow can I endure the thought of seeing him whom thou gave me for father, who nourished me and brought me up with care, and who has been so kind to me, burning in such cruel flames ! I entreat thy divine bounty, not to permit his soul to leave his body, before by some means or other it is perfectly purified and has no need of the fire of Purgatory." God in his amazing mercy yielded to this prayer, and to the desire of his creature. Jacomo's strength was extinct, but his soul could not depart so long as the conflict lasted between Catherine and our Lord, the Redeemer alleging his plea ​of justice and Catherine invoking mercy. At last Catherine said: "If I cannot obtain this grace without satisfying thy justice, let this justice be exercised towards me; I am ready to undergo for my father whatever thy goodness will deign to send me. Our Lord consented to this, " I cheerfully accept thy proposition, on account of thy love for me, and I exempt the soul of thy father from all expiatory pains, but during thy whole life thou shalt be the victim of a pain which I send thee." Catherine joyfully gave thanks to God, and asked that his divine will might be accomplished. Catherine hastened to the couch of her dying father, who was just sinking into agony; she filled his heart with joy and strength, by giving him the assurance of his eternal salvation from the mouth of God himself, and never left him until he expired. At the instant his spirit quitted his body, Catherine was attacked with an acute pain in her side which she endured without relaxation until the day of her death. I had the declaration of it from herself, and all those who had relations with her saw many evident proofs of it — but her patience was greater than her pain. All that I have related here I learned from Catherine, when compassionating her sufferings I inquired their cause. I should add that at the moment her father breathed his last, she exclaimed with a gladsome countenance and a serene smile on her lips: "Bless God ! Father; how happy were I now like thee !" While they celebrated the funeral ceremonies and all around wept Catherine appeared gay and cheerful. She consoled her mother and every one else, and acted as calmly as if the deceased had been a stranger to her. It was because she had seen that dearly-loved soul joyfully escape the prison of the body, and soar unfettered to eternal light; ​and this sight had inundated her soul with comfort, because a few days previous she had tasted the bliss of celestial glory.
Here let us admire the wisdom of divine Providence: the soul of Jacomo could certainly have been purified in another way and have been immediately admitted to glory, like the soul of the good thief on Calvary, who confessed our Lord on the Cross; but God willed that Catherine should request it, not to try her, but to augment her merits and her crown. Hence Catherine always spoke of her sweet, dear sufferings; and she was correct, because sufferings augment the consolations of grace in this life and the delights of the glory to come.
Having admired what Catherine did for the soul of a just man, let us see what happened in the soul of a sinner. In 1370, there was at Sienna a citizen named Andrea of Naddino; a man rich in worldly and perishable goods, but poor in interior and eternal wealth. Without either the love or the fear of God, he subjected himself to the slavery of every vice. Gaming was his predominant passion, and he had a habit of blaspheming horribly. In the month of December of that same year, the fortieth of his age, he was attacked with a serious malady; the physicians entertained no hope of his cure, and death threatened both the soul and body of this wretched impenitent. The curate of the parish came to visit him, hoping to prepare him for his last great change, but the sick man, who had never frequented the Church, nor respected its priests, despised his charitable warnings and repulsed him who gave them. Then his wife and children, who ardently desired his salvation, invited several pious persons to come, who all endeavored to overcome his hardness of heart; but neither the threats ​of eternal flames, nor the hopes of divine mercy could bend this unfortunate man, who was plunging into hell with all his crimes. The curate who saw death approaching, was absorbed in grief: he returned with the morning dawn, and renewed his pressing efforts: but all proved useless. The unhappy man repulsed his discourse and refused him presence. He sunk deeper and deeper into final impenitence, and committed that sin against the Holy Ghost, by which the mercy of God is turned aside - naught awaited him but the chastisements of an irrevocable justice.
Friar Thomas, the Confessor of Catherine, was acquainted with what was passing. Grieved at the loss of this soul, he hastened to his penitent, and asked her, in the name of obedience and charity, to interest herself in this miserable man, and cry to God until she would procure his pardon. When he arrived Catherine was in ecstacy, and it was impossible to draw her from her heavenly contemplations. As he could neither speak to her nor wait for her, on account of the approaching night, he recommended one of her companions, named Catherine, and who is still living, to explain to the servant of God, as soon as she came to herself, the object of his visit. Catherine did not recover from her ecstacy until near five o'clock in the morning: her companion immediately gave the Confessor's commission and enjoined her, in virtue of holy obedience, to ask for the conversion of the hard-hearted sinner. At this news Catherine, all inflamed with charity and compassion, began to pray to God with her whole strength, protesting that she could not allow her equal, her countryman, and her mother, because redeemed by the same Saviour, to perish in eternal flames.
​The Lord answered. "This man's iniquities have mounted to Heaven — not only has he poured forth injuries against me and my saints, but he threw into the fire a picture representing me and my blessed Mother. Do not intercede for him; it is just that he burn in eternal flames; he merits death a thousand times."
Catherine prostrated herself at the feet of her divine Spouse, and bathed them with her tears — and prayed in aspirations like these: "Didst thou not, loving Jesus I bear this man's sins with ours on thy venerable shoulders ? Am I here to dispute thy justice, or to invoke thy mercy ? Remember Lord thou didst promise to aid me in saving souls; I have no other consolation but that of seeing them return to thee; it is the only circumstance that renders me capable of enduring thy absence. Repel me not, most clement Jesus ! restore to me my brother; draw him from his hardened state!" Catherine continued, during several hours her vigil and her tears to obtain the salvation of that soul.
God opposed the number and enormity of his crimes which demanded vengeance, and Catherine invoked the mercy that led him to come down to earth and die for sinners. At last mercy triumphed over justice, and our blessed Saviour said to Catherine: "My beloved daughter, I suffer myself to be softened by thy tears; I am going to convert him for whom thou pray with such fervor."
At that same instant our Lord appeared to Andrea (Andrew) who was in extremities: "Friend," said he to him, "why will you not confess the sins that you have committed against me ? Confess them and I am ready to pardon thee all thy faults."
These words suddenly softened that obstinate heart, and he cried oat to those that served him: "Send quickly ​for a priest, because I wish to confess. I see my Lord and Saviour who is inviting me to do so." The assistants filled with joy hastened to obey. The priest came, he performed all his last duties calmly, confessed perfectly, and died in wonderful sentiments of contrition and repentance.
These, Lord, are the works that display thee in thy saints. To show the favor Catherine had before thee, thou made known to her the danger of a man with whom she was not acquainted, but who had received from you the same country and the same baptism. You did not grant the prayers of the others, because you would grant all to those of thy beloved Spouse. Oh ! who would not love thee !
There were at Sienna, two notorious brigands that justice had decreed to arrest — and they were condemned to expiate their crime in the most fearful torments. They were going to death, attached to a stake, on a cart, and the executioners, armed with red hot pincers, tore their flesh in every part of their bodies. Neither in prison, nor at the approach of death, could they be induced to repent, nor persuaded to listen to a clergyman; and at the very moment in which they were led through the town in order to inspire a wholesome dread of the laws, instead of recommending themselves to the prayers of the faithful, they blasphemed against God and his Saints. The fiery tortures which these wretched men endured were but a prelude to the torments that awaited them in hell; but that Infinite Goodness who wills the death of none, and who does not twice punish the same faults, delivered these poor souls, by means of his faithful handmaid.
Providence permitted that on that very day, Catherine ​should be at the house of Alessia, her companion and her spiritual daughter. Alessia, hearing in the morning the noise of the crowd, approached the window, and saw at some distance, the unhappy criminals who were conducted and tormented by the executioners. She ran to Catherine, "Mother !" cried she, " what a frightful spectacle directly before the house: here are two men who are condemned to be torn with heated pincers passing by." Catherine, moved not by curiosity but by pity, advanced to the window, perceived the unhappy men, and retired at once to prayer. She informed me that she saw around them a troop of demons which were tormenting their souls still more than the executioners tortured their bodies. Hence she had recourse to fervent prayer, and conjured her Divine Spouse to save those souls who were on the eve of perishing. "Ah ! Lord," said she, "who are so clement, will you so far abandon creatures formed to thy image, and redeemed by thy precious blood. The thief who was crucified at thy side really merited his punishment; but thy grace visited him because at the moment in which thy apostles doubted, he confessed thee publicly, amid the ignominies of thy Passion, and he merited the hearing of thy promise ' Today thou shall be with me in Paradise.' In that word, thou gave hope of pardon to those who might resemble him. Thou did not abandon Peter who denied thee, but gave him a look of compassion; thou did not contemn Mary the sinner, but attracted her to thee; and Matthew the publican, the Cananean, and Zaccheus, the rich, you did not refuse to receive, but invited them to return. I entreat thee by all thy mercies, hasten to relieve these souls."
At length she persuaded Him who desires to be inclined ​mercifully, and streams of pardoning grace flowed in a wonderful manner over the souls of these two miserable men. Catherine obtained the grace of assisting them in spirit, and of accompanying them as far as the city gates. She prayed and wept continually for their change of heart; the demons who saw her, said to her in fury: " if thou does not cease, we and these two reprobates, will torment thee to such a degree, that thou shalt become possessed.: Catherine answered: " Whatever God wills, I will, I shall not discontinue what I have commenced."
When the two criminals halted at the gate of the city, our merciful Redeemer appeared to them covered with wounds and bathed in blood. He exhorted them to conversion and promised them pardon. A ray of divine light immediately penetrated their hearts — they earnestly implored the assistance of a priest and confessed their sins with heartfelt sorrow. Their blasphemies were changed into pious aspirations; they accused themselves, acknowledged that they merited even more terrible torments and marched onward to death, as joyously as if they were going to a festival: instead of loading their executioners with insults, they thanked the Saviour, who in mercy permitted them to acquire, by these transient sorrows, a never-ending glory. All the assistants were in admiration at such a change: the torturers themselves were deeply affected, and dared no longer increase their cruelties, on seeing them in such sentiments, but no one knew whence came this miracle of grace. The good and zealous clergyman who accompanied these hardened sinners endeavoring to convert them, gave these details to Friar Thomas, Catherine's Confessor. The latter having questioned Alessia, was able to certify that at the ​very moment in which Catherine concluded her prayer and came forth from her ecstasy, the two condemned gave up their last sighs. I also received Catherine's entire confidence concerning all the particulars, and I found them in every circumstance conformed to what Friar Thomas had written. He only adds that a few days after the death of the two converted brigands, the companions of Catherine heard her say, while she was praying. "Lord I thank thee for having delivered them from a second prison." Brother Thomas asked her what these words signified; she answered that the two malefactors enjoyed the glory of heaven; that they entered Purgatory, but she had obtained their deliverance.
These circumstances can scarcely fail of surprising those who read them, because they do not fall under the corporeal senses; but if we consult St. Augustine and St. Gregory, it will be seen that this miracle is greater than if those unfortunate men had been resuscitated after death; for, according to the expression of St. Gregory, a body raised to life must die again, but in this case the soul is revivified for all eternity: in the resurrection of the body, the divine power meets no obstacle; but in that of souls, the free-will of man can resist and repel the action of grace: hence the convertion of a sinner displays the divine power more gloriously, than the creation of the entire world. It is related of St. Martin, that by the virtue of the Holy Trinity, he had the glory of raising three individuals from death to life, and St. Nicholas is also admired for having saved three innocents condemned to the worst torments. What then shall be said of Catherine who, by the power of her prayers, suddenly saved two guilty souls from everlasting death, and ​who drew from purgatorial fires, their souls which were plunged into them. Is not this greater and more amazing ? Believe me reader, I saw many prodigies effected by this holy woman; but I find none comparable to this which I have just narrated: no, never in any case was the power of the Most High so largely manifested, never did the unction of grace flow so abundantly.
Catherine obtained another extraordinary grace of conversion, which I must not bury in silence. There was in Sienna, a man named Francis Tholomei, and who still lives: his wife is named Rabes; they had several sons and daughters. The eldest, Jacques, led a criminal life; he was excessively proud, and such was his ferocity, that although young, his hand had twice been stained in the blood of his neighbor; his horrible deeds made him the terror of all who knew him; no idea, no fear of God withheld him, and he added crime to crime. He had a sister named Ghinoccia, who was passionately fond of the world, in the worst sense of that expression; she was continually occupied in vainly adorning her person, and if she were not wholly lost, it was because she merely dreaded human opinion. Their pious mother Rabes feared for the salvation of her children; she went to Catherine and implored her to be so charitable as to speak on religion to her two daughters, especially to Ghinoccia. Catherine, who so ardently loved souls, consented, and succeeded so well with Ghinoccia, that Jesus triumphed in her affections, and she renounced all the senseless joys of the world — she cut off her long and glossy hair, that had proved a source of vanity to her, took the habit of the Sisters of Penance of St. Dominic and persevered, as I can affirm, in the most admirable practices of devotion. I was frequently obliged to moderate ​the rigor of her austerities. Her sister Francoise, (Frances) followed her example closely; she also assumed the holy livery of penance, and it was an affecting sight to behold those two sisters so lately captivated with vanity, contesting suddenly its every form in their own persons and that with courage and perseverance.
At the moment of their conversion, Jacques Tholomei was absent; as soon as he learned this, he returned to the city in a paroxysm of rage against his youthful brothers; in his arrogance he uttered the most terrible threats and menaced tearing off his sister's holy habit, and conducting her back with him, to withdraw her from the influence of those who had converted her. But his little brother said, in an inspired tone; "Jacques, I assure thee, that were thou to go to Sienna, thou would be converted and wouldst confess thy sins. " But he ill-treated the child, and replied that he would sooner kill all the priests and the religious. The child reiterated his prophecy, and Jacques his threats and maledictions. They at last arrived at the city and Jacques entered his home in a perfect fury, declaring that he would commit the worst violence, did not his sister renounce her habit and follow him without delay.
Rabes, succeeded in appeasing and calming his passion until the morrow. In the morning she sent word to Friar Thomas, the Confessor of Catherine, who providentially took as companion, Friar Bartholomew of St. Dominic. He sought Jacques, conversed with him, yet apparently obtained nothing favorable — but Catherine by a supernatural light, knew all that was passing, and supplicated God for the wicked youth's conversion. The Lord heard her prayer, and touched that obdurate heart. He fielded to the exhortations of Brother Bartholomew, after ​having obstinately repelled those of Brother Thomas; and not only did he permit his sister to serve God as she wished, but humbled himself and confessed his faults with lively sorrow; to use Catherine's expression, he ejected all the poison that defiled his soul, and accused himself of sins that he would never before acknowledge. The wolf was changed into a lamb; the fierce lion had become docile as a child, and all the witnesses were filled with admiration. His mother could find no explanation for this astonishing change; his sisters congratulated him, and the whole household returned thanks to God. The two Religious, full of joy, hastened to bear the joyous news to Catherine.
The Saint, who had seen all in spirit, and who had obtained that grace from the Lord, had not yet come out of ecstacy, but continued to enjoy the caresses of her Divine Spouse. Before the religious brethren entered her room, however, she said: "We must render thanks to God, because Jacques Tholomei, who was a slave to Satan, was delivered this morning; he has confessed to Friar Bartholomew." When the Religious described their joy, Catherine's companion replied: "She was just relating it to me as you entered." Catherine then said to them with her usual edifying manner: " Fathers, we must give thanks to God who never disregards the prayers of his servants, and the good desires which his own divine Spirit inspires. The enemy of salvation, had resolved to rob us of that dear sheep, but the Father of mercies defended his own; he imagined that he had also gained Ghinoccia from our Lord; and he has lost Jacques of whom he had become master. Indeed, our divine Shepherd assures us in the Gospel: "that no one can take from him his own." (John v 28) Ghinoecia ​was indeed a constant example of piety and mortification; she persevered until death in the service of God, and slept joyfully in the Lord, after having supported with the most admirable patience, a long and painful illness.
Her sister Frances who imitated her, survived her but a short interval. Always satisfied, even amid the most excruciating pains, she expired with a smile on her lips. Matthew, the brother next in age to Jacques, renounced the world, and entered the order of St. Dominic, which he still edifies by his virtues. As to Jacques, he married, but he never relapsed into his attacks of passion, being always peaceful and meek. All this good was accomplished by means of Catherine, who obtained from her Spouse the graces appropriate to each individual.
The narrative which I now present was not less wonderful: I was alone witness of the attendant circumstances, but God knows my veracity, and besides, its results were made public. There dwelt, in Sienna, a man perfectly well known among persons of the world, and possessed of surprising genius, which was not regulated by the law of God. His name was Nanni or Vanni. As is frequent among his countrymen, he indulged private hatred, and he knew how to satisfy vengeance by striking in the dark. Several murders had been committed, but they who were their authors dreaded Nanni more than others, because they were acquainted with his deadly malice They had often employed mediators to induce him to be reconciled, but he always answered with hypocrisy, that he was a complete stranger in those affairs, and that it did not depend on him to make peace. He alone, however, offered an obstacle, so as to be able to satiate his vengeance when he could find an opportunity.
​Catherine was aware of this disorder and was desirous of arresting its progress, by conversing with Nanni; but the latter carefully avoided her. In fine, a holy man, Brother William of England, of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, pressed him so much, that he consented to see and hear Catherine; but at the same time refusing to pledge himself to do what she might desire: he came in effect, to the house at a moment in which I was myself awaiting the arrival of the servant of God, who was occupied somewhere in the salvation of souls. They informed me that Nanni was waiting to converse with Catherine. I went down with a glad heart, because I knew how much Catherine desired this interview; I announced her absence, but pressed him to wait a little, and to beguile the time, I introduced him into the little cell, sanctified by the spouse of Jesus Christ. After a few moments Nanni became weary and said: " I promised Friar William to come here and listen to this lady; she is absent, and my occupations prevent me from remaining longer; will you be so kind as to excuse me, — but really I have too much to do to admit my tarrying longer."
I was quite distressed by Catherine's absence, but so as to restrain all sign of impatience, I began to speak of reconciliation, but he said to me: 'see, now, you are a priest and a religious, and this good lady enjoys a great reputation for sanctity; I must not deceive you. I therefore tell you frankly, and declare to you that I will do nothing of what you request from me; it is true that I prevent peace, but I wish that it be kept secret. Did I but give my consent, all would be arranged; I refuse; and it is useless to preach to me on that subject, you will obtain nothing; it is already considerable to have told ​you with so much freedom what I concealed from others. Do not torment me further on the subject." I would insist, and he refused to hear me, when God permitted that Catherine should become the instrument of reconciliation. Her arrival was as disagreeable to Nanni, as agreeable to me. As soon as she perceived us, she saluted this man of the world with angelic charity; she seated herself and then inquired the motive of his visit. Nanni repeated to her what he had just told me and declared also that he would make no concession. Catherine represented to him with as much force as sweetness, the danger to which he exposed his soul; but the unhappy man would hear nothing and closed his heart to her moving solicitations. Then, the holy woman went alone to pray and implore God's assistance; I hoped that she would be heard, and began to discuss with Nanni so as to gain time. Only a few moments had expired before the obstinate man said to us; "Through politeness I will not refuse you totally, I have four enmities; I consent to sacrifice the one which will afford you the greatest pleasure." And he arose to withdraw, when on a sudden he exclaimed "O my God, what consolation my heart feels for this sole word of peace that I have pronounced," then added: " my Lord and my God ! what power retains and triumphs over me; I cannot go away and I have not the force to refuse. What can it be that exerts such an influence over me ? Yes, I confess that I am vanquished — I cannot draw my breath" — then falling on his knees, he said, sobbing "Holy Virgin behold me ready to do whatever you command relative to peace, and all else. I see now that Satan held me in chains; henceforth I resign myself to thy counsels; in ​pity direct my soul and draw it from the snares of the enemy."
At this moment Catherine who had entered into ecstacy, as was usual, returned to herself and gave thanks to God: "Dear Brother," said she, "the mercy of God has at length manifested to you your danger, I spoke to you and you refused to listen; then I turned to God who has not despised my petition." Nanni confessed to me without delay and with humble contrition; Catherine reconciled him with all his enemies, while I restored him to peace with God whom he had so long offended.
A few days after his conversion, Nanni was arrested by the Governor of the city and thrown in a close prison; a report was current that he was to suffer decapitation; this news afflicted me, and I went to find Catherine. "Nothing unfortunate," said I, "occurred to Nanni when he obeyed Satan, and now that he has given himself to God, heaven and earth appear to declare against him. I fear, Mother, that this plant is yet too young for supporting such a storm; the poor man may fall into despair, I entreat you, pray for him; you have delivered him from sin, now you must sustain him in his misfortunes." Catherine answered me; " Why are you alarmed on his account ? you should rather rejoice. Do you not see the evidence that God has pardoned him the debt of eternal punishment, because he sends him temporal troubles. Our Lord's word is accomplished, the world loves what belongs to it; but now that he has quitted the world, the world detests him. God was preparing endless chastisement for him, but his mercy is satisfied with punishing him in this world. Fear not that he will fall into despair. He who saved him from hell, will also draw him from this danger. "
​It happened as she announced. A short time after, Nanni came out of prison, but he was obliged to pay very heavy sums, and Catherine rejoiced, saying: "That God was taking away the venom that impoisoned him." Tribulation only augmented his fervor; he desired to give Catherine, by an authentic act, a beautiful residence which he possessed, about two miles from the city, so that she might establish a monastery of females. Catherine did this with the special authorization of Gregory XI. of happy memory, and bestowed on it the name of "Holy Mary of the Angels." I assisted at the consecration with all her spiritual family; the commissary designated by the Sovereign Pontiff was Friar John, abbot of the convent of St. Anthem. This conversion, operated by the omnipotent hand of God, is due to Catherine's prayers. I may myself render testimony of it. I was during several years Nanni's Confessor, and I know that he made great progress in good, during the time that I knew him.
Volumes would not suffice for relating all that our Lord accomplished by his faithful Spouse, for the conversion of sinners, the spiritual advancement of the good, the encouragement of the weak, the consolation of the afflicted, the warning of souls in danger, etc. Who could compute the miserable whom she saved from hell, the hardened hearts that she has touched, the worldlings detached from vanity, persons tempted that she assisted by her prayers and freed from the demon by her counsels, the elect whom she directed in the path of virtue, those whose good desires she aided in progress towards perfection, those whom she saved from the abyss of vice and conducted to heaven, by bearing them, so to speak, in her arms, suffering and praying for their salvation ? Yes, I may say as St. Jerome said to St. Paul: Were ​I gifted with a thousand tongues, it would be impossible for me to enumerate the fruits of salvation borne by this virginal plant, and cultivated by the Father in Heaven." I have often seen thousands of men and women hastening to her from the summits of the mountains and from the surrounding country, as though a mysterious trumpet invited them; they came to see and hear; her words were even sometimes useless, while her presence sufficed to convert them and inspire them with a lively contrition; all renounced their sins, and sought the tribunal of penance; then I was witness of the sincerity of their repentance, and it was evident to me that a superabundant grace acted in their hearts; and this happened not once, nor twice, but very often.
Chapter VII
Of Some Miracles Obtained By Catharine, For The Life Or Health Of The Neighbor.
I intend now to relate a circumstance amazing indeed, in our time, and yet very easy to Him, with whom all things are possible. Lapa Catherine's mother, was very simple and very kind, but not very desirous of invisible goods; she always had a great terror of quitting this life. After the death of her husband she also fell ill, and soon excited serious anxiety. Catherine, had recourse as usual to prayer, and entreated the Lord to deign to relieve her mother. It was answered her that Lapa would be saved if she died then, and that, thus, should avoid many heavy trials which menaced her. Catherine went to her mother and made the sweetest exhortations in order to prepare her, if God were to call, by engaging her to a complete submission to his holy will; but Lapa, too deeply attached to earthly things, was horrified at the thought of leaving them; she conjured her daughter to plead with our Lord for her cure, and not to mention death. The Spouse of our Lord saw with pain these dispositions, and prayed in anguish that our Lord would not permit her to die, before she was perfectly submissive to his will. God complied with Catherine's prayer; the malady of Lapa became more alarming, but death was still averted. Catherine intervened between God and her mother, by her prayers and exhortations; she entreated God not to take her kind mother from the world, without her own ​consent; she exhorted her mother to submit to the good pleasure of God; but her prayers were more prevalent with our Lord, than with the mind of the patient. Hence our Redeemer said to his Spouse. "Announce to thy mother who is unwilling to die at present, that a day will arrive in which she will ardently sigh for death, without obtaining it." I can testify, with many others, the fulfillment of this prophecy. Lapa attained an extreme old age, and had so much to endure in persons and things that she loved, that she was continually saying: "God has riveted my soul to my body, so that it cannot be separated from it; how many children and grand-children have I already lost ? it is only I that cannot die, I am left to feel the sufferings and death of all the others."
Lapa's heart was so obstinate, that she did not think of her soul's salvation. God then appeared to refuse his Spouse what he granted her at first. After having deferred, in accordance with her petition, the death of her mother, he permitted, in order to display her merits, that Lapa should die without having confessed. Her daughter, at the view of this misfortune cried to heaven, dissolved in tears: "Ah ! Lord my God, are these the promises thou gave me that none of mine should perish ? Was not thy mercy pledged not to withdraw my mother from the world but when she would consent to it; and behold she is dead without receiving the Sacraments of the Church; in the name of thy infinite bounty, suffer not my hopes to be thus deceived. I will not leave thy presence, until you restore to me my mother." Three Ladies of Sienna, whose names we will give, were then present and heard these words. They saw Lapa breathe her last, and touched her body which gave no signs of life; they would have made every preparation for her ​interment, had they not waited for Catherine to complete her prayer. The Most High beheld the anguish of Catherine's heart and her humble and fervent supplications penetrated to the mercy-seat. The God of mercy and of consolation heard her, for the body of Lapa suddenly recovered motion; life returned completely and she soon resumed her ordinary occupation. She lived until the age of eighty-nine years, in the midst of affliction, privations and trials, just as her daughter had announced to her on the part of God.
The witnesses of this miracle were, Catherine Getti, Angela Vannini, factually a Sister of Penance of St Dominic) and Lysa, Catherine's sister-in-law: and Lapa's daughter-in-law: they still live and are all in Sienna; they heard Catherine when she said beside her dear mother, "Lord are these thy promises?" Thousands of persons knew Lapa after that period. All this shows Catherine's merit before God, for she preserved her father's soul from purgatory and recalled to life the inanimate body of her mother. This miracle took place in the month of October, 1370.
The following fact I can particularly attest. Seventeen years ago, that is 1373 or 1374, religious obedience summoned me to Sienna, where I exercised in the Convent of my Order, the functions of Lector. I was serving God in a lukewarm manner, when the plague declared itself, and raged as it had done in many places during our time, but never so fearfully as in Sienna. The contagion attacked men and persons of all ages; one day, two or even three days at most, sufficed to make one the victim of its empoisoned breath. In consequence terror reigned everywhere; zeal for souls, which is the spirit of the Order of St. Dominic obliged me to devote myself to the ​salvation of the neighbor. I therefore visited the sick, and I went very often to "Sainte Marie de la Misercorde." The director of that house was at that time Father Matthew who still lives. This man of holy life and reputation, was extremely attached to Catherine, and the virtue which heaven had accorded to him had inspired me with a warm affection for him. I was in the habit of seeing him once every day. One morning after the Mass, I went out to visit my sick and as I passed the House of Mercy, I inquired whether any one in the establishment had been attacked with plague. On entering, I found Father Matthew whom the brothers were carrying like a corpse from the church to his room; his countenance was pale, his strength had forsaken him to such a degree, that he was incapable of speaking: when I inquired what he suffered he could not answer me. I therefore addressed myself to those who were accompanying him, and questioned them concerning what had happened to my friend: " Last night," said they to me, "about eleven o'clock, while he was watching near a sick person, he perceived himself stricken with the epidemic; and in a few moments, he fell into extreme weakness." I followed them to the sick man's bed, I bent over him, and when he had reposed a short time, he called for me and confessed as he was accustomed to do. After giving him absolution, I asked him what he suffered: He explained to me in what region he felt the pain; adding that it seemed to him that one of his legs was breaking and that his head was separating into four parts." I then felt his pulse, and saw in effect that he was suffering a violent fever. I recommended those who were taking care of him to explain certain things to doctor Senso, his physician, who is still living and was deeply attached to him. ​I returned to visit him a short time after. Doctor Senso declared to me that my friend had the plague, and that every symptom announced the approach of death. "It is evident that the blood is inflamed in the liver; it is the reigning malady, and I greatly fear that the House of Mercy is soon to be deprived of its good director." I asked him if the medical art could not furnish some remedy ?" "We shall see tonight, " answered he, "whether with the 'quintessence of cassia,' we can succeed in purifying the blood; but I have only a faint hope in this remedy, as the disease is too far advanced. " After this response of the medical adviser, I withdrew, being very sad, and directed my steps towards the residence of the patient, praying God, mercifully to retain in the world, a man of so useful an example.
However, Catherine had learned the illness of Father Matthew whom she loved sincerely, on account of his many virtues; her heart was touched, and she speedily repaired to him whom she was unwilling to lose. Hardly had she entered the apartment, than she cried: " Get up Father Matthew, arise, this is not the moment to repose indolently in your bed." At the very instant in which she uttered these words, the fever and the marks of the pestilence disappeared; Father Matthew found himself as free from pain, as though he had not been sick. Nature had obeyed her Master, who commanded by Catherine's mouth; and his word had restored the sufferer to perfect health. Father Matthew arose joyfully, and blessed the Lord for the power he had bestowed on his handmaid. Catherine modestly retired, to avoid the admiration of men; but at the moment in which she ​withdrew from the house, I entered it, ignorant of what had passed, and believing my friend to be still very sick. As soon as I saw her, my grief urged me to say, with deep anxiety; "Mother, will you allow a person so dear and so useful to die ?" She, wishing to conceal what she had done beneath the veil of humility, appeared to be annoyed at my words. "In what terms do you address me," said she, "am I like God, to deliver a man from death?" But I, beside myself with sorrow, continued: "Say that to others if you will; as to me who am well acquainted with your secrets, I know that you obtain from God whatever you ask with fervor. " Then she bowed her head and smiled a little; after which she looked at me with a joyous countenance, saying: "Well, let us take courage, he shall not die this time."
At these words I banished all fear; I understood that she had obtained some grace from heaven. I left her, and went very contentedly to my sick friend, whom I found seated at his bedside and recounting to everybody the miracle that Catherine had just effected. I informed him that she had that moment assured me that he should not die of this malady. " Are you ignorant," replied he, "of what she has just done for me ?" When I told him that I was not aware of anything, and that all she said to me was contained in that pleasing assurance, he stood up, much surprised, and joyfully narrated what I have here written. To attest the miracle more solidly the table was laid, and Father Matthew seated himself at it with us: they served him with food scarcely suitable for a sick man — vegetables and some raw onions — he, who an instant previous could not take anything, shared them with us; he chatted and laughed gaily; while that very morning be could scarcely pronounce one audible word. ​Admiration and joy were general; all praised God who had bestowed so great a favor, and conversed approvingly and with holy envy of the merits of the saint who had obtained them. This miracle had also for witness, brother Nicolas d'Andrea of Sienna, of the Order of the Friar Preachers; he yet lives, and accompanied me on that day. Those who were resident in the house, pupils, priests, and more than twenty persons besides, saw what I have related.
Such as have not had their hearts touched may perchance say: what is there astonishing in the cure of a malady, even though it be serious ? does not that happen naturally every day ? I will respond to them by asking them: Why the Gospel recounts that our Lord healed Simon's mother-in-law, who was ill with a fever? Do we not continually see men relieved of violent fevers ? Why then does the Evangelist cite this fact as a miracle ? Let him who sees nothing beyond the letter, give attention to what the sacred writer has deigned to observe "He approached her," says he, "he commanded the fever, the fever immediately left her, rising instantly she served them." (Luke iv. 39) The proof of the miracle lies in the sudden disappearance of the fever, at the sole command of the Saviour, and without any natural remedy; she who had been so long sick and bed-ridden, arose without any exterior help; therefore, in what I have said, the eyes must be closed voluntarily, if the truth is not perceived. That God who had healed the mother-in-law of Simon, dwelt in Catherine; she did not approach, but afar, she commanded fever and pestilence, and without remedy and without delay. Father Matthew was delivered. Open, therefore, the eyes of the mind; be not incredulous but believing.
​There was, near the House of Mercy, a very pious woman, who wore, if I remember rightly, the habit of the Sisters of Penance of St. Dominic. In her admiration of Catharine's virtues, she desired to consecrate herself to her service; she followed her counsels with docility, was edified by her examples, and entertained towards her sentiments of profound veneration. It happened one day, that this woman being at home, the floor gave way beneath her, and dragged her downward in its descent; she was covered with contusions; her whole body was one general wound. The neighbors assembled in all haste, to draw her from amidst the fallen stones and timbers; they thought her killed. However, thanks be to God, they were able to remove her to her bed, where by degrees her consciousness returned; but it was to suffer horribly. The pain drew from her both tears and shrieks, and she detailed what she was enduring to those who surrounded her. Medical aid was obtained, and all was done for her that was possible; yet the poor woman could not move, and suffered a martyrdom in every limb.
As soon as Catherine heard it, she was filled with compassion for one who was her Sister, and who had made herself her servant. She went immediately to visit her, and exhorted her to patience by devout instruction. When she saw her suffering so excessively, she began to touch, (as though she would administer relief, ) the places of which she complained; the patient willingly consented because she knew that those blessed hands could not fail of doing her good. As soon as Catherine touched any place, its pain vanished: hence the sick woman showed her the other parts that were tormented so that she might apply the same remedy, and Cathanne lent herself to this ​charity with so much care, that she finished by completely healing her. In proportion as her virginal hand glided over her bruised body, the pain disappeared, and the sick woman who could not move a single member, recovered little by little her liberty of motion: she kept silence while Catherine was present lest she might alarm her humility, but afterwards she said to the physicians and neighbors that were surrounding her: — "Catherine, Lapa's daughter, has cured me by touching me." All were in admiration and gave glory to God; for it was impossible not to admit that this restoration proceeded from a divine virtue; I have related this miracle on the testimony of others, because when it was wrought, I was not yet acquainted with Catherine and did not even reside in Sienna.
During the same pestilence, a hermit called " The Saint," and who was so indeed, was attacked by the contagion. As soon as Catherine heard it, she caused him to be carried from the cell in which he lived outside of Sienna, to the House of Mercy; she visited him with her companions, and was attentive to see that he had all necessary care. She approached him and said in a low tone. " Do not fear, however ill you may become you will not die this time." But she told us nothing similar, when we requested her to pray for his cure. She on the contrary, appeared like ourselves to fear his death; and we were much grieved being sincerely attached to this pious man. The illness grew hourly worse, and we were beginning to despair of the safety of the body, and think only of the salvation of the soul. All physical energy appeared extinct, and we awaited his expiring sigh. Catherine said again in the patient's ear, "Fear not, you will not die." He who appeared to be unconscious ​understood her perfectly, and believed more strongly in her word than in death whose presence he felt. And in effect, Catherine's word triumphed over the laws of nature; and divine virtue, more powerful than all human remedies, saved the dying man against all hope.
We were already preparing for his interment, and several days elapsed without amelioration. Catherine arrived and said in the ear of the sick man: "I command you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, not to die." Life and strength immediately returned. The saintly man rose from his bed and asked for something to eat. A few moments sufficed for a complete cure; he related to us what Catherine had said to him, and that he had felt a divine energy retaining his soul which endeavored to escape. He affirmed that he was not cured by any natural cause, and believed this miracle to be as great as though he had arisen from the dead.
Having spoken of others, I must not pass in silence what Catherine did for me. When the plague was raging in Sienna, I resolved to sacrifice my life for the salvation of souls and not to avoid any pestiferous patient whatever: it is certain that the malady is contagious; but I also knew that our Lord Jesus Christ, is more potent than Galen and that grace is superior to nature. I also saw that many had taken flight, and that the dying remained without assistance; and as the blessed Catherine had taught me that charity obliges us to love the soul of the neighbor more than our own body, I was desirous of assisting as many sick as I could, and I did so by God's grace. I was almost alone in that vast city, and had scarcely time to take a little food and sleep. One night as I reposed, and the time approached to rise and recite my Office, I felt a violent pain in the region of the ​body first attacked by the reigning epidemic; my hand discovered to me the fatal swelling; frightened at this discovery I dared not rise and began to think seriously of death. I longed for the day, so that I could find Catherine before the disease made progress: the fever and pains in the head soon seized me; my fears augmented; I had however sufficient strength to recite my prayers. When morning came, I dragged myself with my companion, to Catherine's residence; but she was absent, having already been visiting a sick person. I decided to wait, and as I could no longer support myself, I was obliged to lie down on a bed which was there: I besought the person of the house not to delay sending for her. When she came, and saw my excessive suffering, she knelt down by my bed, placed her hand on my forehead, and began to pray interiorly as usual; I saw her enter into an ecstasy and I thought that there would soon result some good both for my soul and body. She remained thus, during nearly an hour and a half, when I felt a universal movement in my every limb: I was persuaded it was a prelude to vomitings, such as those I had witnessed in several persons that I saw die; but I was in error, it seemed as if something escaped from all the extremities of my body with a violent impulse; I began to feel an amelioration which augmented at every moment: before Catherine had recovered the use of her senses, I was completely cured, there only remained to me a certain weakness, a proof of my illness, or an effect of my want of faith. Catherine, aware of the grace that she had obtained from her Spouse, came to herself and caused them to prepare for me the ordinary nourishment common to the sick. When I had taken it from her virginal hands, she ordered me to sleep a little; I obeyed, and ​on awaking I found myself as active as if nothing had happened to me: then she said to me, "Now go and labor for the salvation of souls and render thanks to the Omnipotent who hath delivered you from this danger." I returned to my habitual fatigues, glorifying the Lord who had bestowed such power on his faithful Spouse.
At the same epoch, Catherine worked a miracle on Friar Bartholomew of St. Dominic of Sienna, my friend, he who at present governs the Roman province, and this miracle was more remarkable, because that Religious had been long and grievously sick with the plague.
When the contagion had passed to Sienna, many persons, but above all the sisters of a Convent of Pisa, having heard the praises of Catherine celebrated, evinced a lively desire of seeing her, and profiting by her instructions. They, therefore, entreated her to repair to Pisa, promising, in order to attract her, that her presence would be profitable to many souls. Catherine did not like journeys; but she had recourse to her divine Spouse, and humbly deferred the case to his decision; she had consulted the opinion of those who surrounded her, and their sentiments were divided; some days after, our Lord appeared to her, and commanded her to yield to the requests of his servants, who were expecting her in the city of Pisa. " My Name," said he, " will be greatly glorified by this journey, and souls will derive much benefit, according to the promise that I made thee, when thy soul separated from thy body, and was united to it anew."
Catherine obediently made known to me the divine will, and repaired directly to Pisa. I accompanied her, with several Fathers of my Order, so as to hear confessions; many of those who visited her had their hearts ​moved by her fervent words; and Catherine, in order that the devil might not resume his conquests, ordered them to seek a Confessor, and ask directly the sacrament of penance.
On our arrival at Pisa, Catherine was received hospitably at the house of an inhabitant named Qirard Buonconti. Her host one day brought a young man of twenty years, and presented him to her, requesting her to be so kind as to pray for the recovery of his health informing her that during eighteen months fevers has never left him, and although he had none at that moment, they had been so violent, that his health was completely ruined notwithstanding all the efforts of medical skill and science. And indeed his pale attenuated countenance was sufficient proof.
Catherine moved with pity, enquired of the youth how long a time had elapsed since he had been to confession. On his replying that several years had found him remiss In this duty: " God," said she to him, "sends you this affliction, because you have remained so long, without purifying your soul In the Sacrament of Penance; go, therefore, my dear son, and confess; cleanse your soul from the corruption of sin which has empoisoned your body." Then she sent for Friar Thomas, her first Confessor, and confided the sick youth to his care that he might hear his confession and give him absolution; when this was terminated, the youth returned to Catherine who said to him, while putting her hand on his shoulders: " Go, my son, with the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is my will that you should have this fever no more." And it happened as she willed.
From that moment the young man had do more attacks of fever. In Catharine resided the power of Him of whom ​it is written: He spoke and it was done, commanded and creation sprung from chaos. Some days after the youth came and thanked her who had healed him, and he assured us that he had not been troubled with the slightest indisposition since that hour.
I was witness to this, and can say like St. John: "He who hath seen bears testimony." There were also with me, Catherine's host, and Lapa, and also the inmates of the house, also Friar Thomas, confessor of Catherine and of the patient, Friar Bartholomew of St. Dominic and all the devout women of Sienna, who had accompanied Catherine. The youth who had been restored to health, published the miracle throughout the city, and when I was passing through Pisa several years after, he visited me and it was with difficulty I recognised him, so robust and manly was he in health and bearing: he recounted in presence of those who accompanied me, what has occurred, and attributed the glory of it to God's faithful servant Catherine.
A miracle similar to this, had taken place at Sienna; only the illness was more dangerous. A Sister of Penance of St. Dominic named Gemmina, was much attached to Catherine: she had a quinsy, in consequence of a cold in the head which she had neglected, and her sickness made such rapid progress that the remedies employed proved inefficacious: the throat was so much inflamed that there was danger of suffocation. In this position, she made an extraordinary effort and went to Catherine, saying, as well as she could, as soon as she beheld her , "Mother, I shall die, unless you help me." Catherine had pity on the poor sister who could scarcely breathe in holy confidence, she applied her hand to the throat, made over it the sign of the Cross, and the ​pain disappeared immediately: she who had come in much pain and suffering, returned in perfect health, and with joy and gratitude, ran to Friar Thomas and related to him what had occurred; the latter took note of it, and from his manuscripts I extracted what I have just narrated.
When the Sovereign Pontiff, Gregory XI., quitted his abode in Avignon to return to Rome, Catherine arrived at Genes, before him, and remained there to meet him. Two young persons from Sienna accompanied us; they were very pious, and are still living. The first was called Neri de Landoccio of Pagliaresi: he despised the world and its vanities and sanctified himself in solitude; the other was Etienne Corrade of Maconi: Catherine, when leaving this exile to soar to heaven, ordered him to enter the order of the Carthusians, and the grace of God so truly accompanied him, that he now directs a great portion of his Order, by his visits, teaching and example. He was successively placed at the head of several monasteries, and is now Prior of the Chartreuse of Milan. They were witnesses, as myself, of the greater number of miracles related in this second part; but in the city of Genes the divine power was manifested in regard to themselves, by means of the blessed Catherine.
While we were there, Neri was taken with an acute pain, which caused him much suffering and inconvenienced us greatly; he could neither walk nor yet be in bed; he crawled about on his hands and knees in the apartment, where other persons slept, and this irritated his pains, instead of soothing them, and an inflammation ensued.
Catherine having heard it, appeared to be moved to pity, and desired me to have physicians called and proper remedies given him: I obeyed promptly, inviting two ​medical advisers whose orders were faithfully accomplished; but the patient instead of obtaining relief, suffered more. I presume God permitted this, because he desired to display in an admirable manner, the power of his Spouse. The physicians perceiving their prescriptions useless, told me that they had no hope of saving him.
When I gave this news to the religious and the companions who were at table with me, Etienne Maconi left his repast, with a melancholy heart, and hastened to Catherine's room. He threw himself at her feet, melting into tears, conjuring her not to suffer his companion and brother, during a journey undertaken for God and her, to die far from home and be buried in a strange land. Catherine, deeply affected, said to him with maternal tenderness; "Why, my son, do you suffer yourself to be troubled? If God wishes to recompense your brother Neri's labors, you ought not to be afflicted, but on the contrary, rejoice." But Etienne insisted, "0 dearest, kindest mother, I conjure you, hear my petition help him; I am perfectly convinced that you can, if you will." And Catherine, incapable of concealing her tenderness, replied; "I only exhorted you to conform to God's will; but since I see you so sad, when I receive holy communion at to-morrow morning's Mass, remind me of your request and I promise to pray God for your intention — you must yourself pray that he may hear me."
Etienne, quite joyous at having obtained this promise, failed not to present himself to Catherine just as she was going to Mass; he knelt humbly, and said to her: " Mother, I entreat you not to deceive my expectation." Catherine communicated at the Mass and as usual remained a long time in ecstasy. When she had resumed. the use of her senses, she smiled on Etienne, who was ​waiting by her side, and said to him-. "You hare obtained the grace that you asked." Etienne said: ' Mother, will Neri be cured ?" " Assuredly he will be saved," answered she, " for God desires to restore him to us." Etienne hastened to impart his joyful hopes to the sick person. The physicians afterwards arrived, and having recommenced their observations, began to say that, although they had given him up, his symptoms demonstrated that he might yet recover. In effect, according to Catherine's promise, convalescence commenced, and the recovery was soon complete.
But Etienne Maconi, overcome by the fatigue and sorrow occasioned by Neri's illness, was attacked by a violent fever, attended with vomiting and violent pains in the head. He kept his bed, and as he was generally beloved, we assisted him, and sought to console him. When the blessed Catherine heard of his state she was much afflicted; she visited him, and interrogated him concerning his malady, and perceiving that he was suffering from a fever, she said in a tone of authority; " I command you in virtue of holy obedience to have this fever no longer." Wonderful to relate ! nature obeyed this order as if the Creator of all things had pronounced it from high heaven; without employing any remedy, and before Catherine left his bedside, Etienne was completely delivered from his fever. We were all delighted to have our friend restored to us, and gave thanks to God for having so promptly manifested his power.
To these two miracles I will add a third, of which I was not witness, being absent; but she in whose favor it was performed, is yet living, and can testify to it. Jeanne de Capo, was a Sister of Penance of St. Dominic, and belonged to Sienna, but did not reside there. When the ​Sovereign Pontiff Gregory XI.. had returned to Rome, he sent Catherine to Florence in order to establish peace and reconcile the common father of the faithful with his revolted children. Catherine succeeded as I will narrate in a special chapter; but the infernal serpent who creates and entertains discord, because he is the enemy of unity, excited a sedition in the city against the Spouse of Christ, who was endeavoring to make peace. Her friends and those who accompanied her, advised her to withdraw for a time, and allow this tempest to pass. She, always humble and prudent, submitted to their views, but said that God had forbidden her to quit the neighborhood of the city, so long as peace and concord were not concluded between the Sovereign Pontiff and the people of Florence.
Catherine was therefore making preparations to retire from the city: but it was discovered that Jane was in disposed: one of her feet was very much swollen, and the pain in it, created a high fever, which prevented her from setting out. Catherine would not leave her alone, exposed to the ill-treatment of the impious, and she had recourse to prayer. She implored our Lord to condescend to lend an ear to her necessities, and while she was praying a gentle slumber took possession of the sick woman, and when she awoke, she was perfectly cured, without feeling any effects of her illness. She arose, and when daylight dawned, she set out with the others; her companions who had seen her suffering were in amazement, and blessed God for his mercies, towards Catherine.
To this miracle, I will add another which occurred at Toulon, in Provence. We stopped at an Inn of that City, at the time of the return of Gregory XI. to Rome; ​Catherine withdrew as usual to her apartment; we had not spoken of her, but the very stones appeared to announce her arrival. First women, and then men, came to our residence and asked where was the saint who returned from the Pontifical Court. The hostler having told them, it became impossible to hinder the crowd, and we were obliged to admit the women. One of them brought an infant whose body was so swollen that it excited pity in the beholders, and some persons present asked Catherine to be so obliging as to hold the infant a moment in her arms. Catherine refused, because she desired to shun the admiration of men; but in fine, overcome by compassion, she consented to what was demanded with such lively faith. Hardly was the babe placed in her virginal hands, than the swelling disappeared, and the little invalid was completely restored. I was not present when this miracle was performed; but it was so evident and so well certified, that the Bishop of the City sent for me, and when relating it, informed me that the child was the nephew of his vicar: he requested me to obtain for him an interview with Catherine.
Our Lord Jesus Christ produced many other miraculous cures, by the intervention of the blessed Catherine: it would be impossible for me to recount them all in one book, but I have recounted some, which will suffice to prove how Jesus, the Son of God and of Mary, acted in her. The deliverance of those that were tormented with devils naturally refers to the healings of the body: but as this chapter is sufficiently lengthy, and as Catherine enjoyed a special grace for those unfortunate souls, I will treat this subject separately.
Chapter VIII
Of Miracles Performed By Catharine By Delivering Such As Were Possessed By The Devil.
Our divine Lord continually exhibited exteriorly the graces with which he interiorly adorned his Spouse. Fire cannot remain concealed, and a tree planted by the water courses, always bears its fruit in due season. The virtue of Jesus Christ, or rather Jesus Christ himself, dwelt in Catherine's heart, and displayed its presence there more and more each successive day, not only by obtaining for sinners the conversion of their souls, and for the sick health and corporal restoration, but in commanding evil spirits, and chasing them from those whom they possessed; and thus for the Name of Our Lord residing in her, every thing in heaven, on earth, and in hell bent the knee before her.
There was in Sienna, a man named Ser. Michel de Monaldo, a very skillful notary, whom I have seen a hundred times, and from whom I received the following facts. Being advanced in years, he took the resolution with his wife's consent, to consecrate himself wholly to the service of God and to offer to him the virginity of his two daughters. He made application to a monastery established in the city, under the invocation of St. John the Baptist; he confided his daughters to the religious Sisters who resided there, gave them his fortune, and lodged with his wife outside of the enclosure, and there directed the temporal affairs of the convent.
​This arrangement lasted a considerable time when by a just, but incomprehensible judgment of God, one of the daughters of Ser. Michel, called Laurencia, aged about eight years, became possessed by the devil; the foe of salvation tormented her cruelly and troubled the peace of the entire monastery. The Nuns being unable to retain the child longer, obliged Ser. Michel to resume his charge. When she had retired from the Convent the devil ceased not to manifest his presence in an extraordinary manner. He spoke Latin by her mouth, although she had no idea of that tongue; he answered the most difficult questions, and manifested the sins and secrets of a great number of persons; in fine, it was evident to everyone that God permitted the devil, for a motive concealed from man, to torment this poor little innocent. Her parents were in the deepest distress and sought every method of relieving her; they brought her to visit the relics of saints whose merits could put the devil to flight. They had above all confidence in the intercession of the blessed Ambrose of the Order of Preaching Friars, whom God has glorified during more than a century by a great number of miracles, and who is endued with a special power for chasing out malignant spirits; his cope or his scapular which are still preserved, have often sufficed for delivering the possessed when clothed in them; I have myself witnessed this effect on several occasions. The parents of little Laurencia led her to the church of the Preaching Friars, placed her on the tomb of Blessed Ambrose, covered her with his habit or sacerdotal ornaments, and fervently Implored God for her deliverance, but they were not heard: this possession was undoubtedly not to punish the child who had not sinned, nor her parents who had always led an exemplary life; ​but God I presume suffered it, in order to increase the honor of his faithful servant. The blessed Ambrose who already enjoyed beatitude, desired to leave the credit of the miracle to Catherine who was continuing her earthly pilgrimage, and thus make known her virtues to the faithful, even before her death: several of Catherine's acquaintances advised the parents of Laurencia to present their child to her, but when they attempted it, Catherine answered: " Alas ! I am myself daily tormented by the demons: how do you imagine that I can deliver others ? " And as she could not escape by the door, without meeting those who came, she hid herself so completely in the attic that they could not find her. The parents retired, without having obtained anything; but this proof of humility and this flight from human esteem, inspired them with greater confidence in her sanctity, and induced them to demand her assistance with greater ardor. As they could not procure access to her, because she forbade all her companions to speak to her of this affair, they had recourse to Friar Thomas, as her confessor, to whom they knew Catherine was very submissive. They exposed their misfortune to him, and entreated him to oblige Catherine in the name of holy obedience to help them in their affliction. Friar Thomas felt an extreme compassion for their trouble, but he knew that his authority did not extend so far as to oblige Catherine to the performance of miracles, and as he feared to wound her humility, he made use of the following expedient: one evening while Catherine was absent, he conducted the little possessed into her oratory, and said to one of her companions who remained in the house: " Tell Catherine, when she will return, that I command her in virtue of holy obedience, to allow that child to remain ​here during the night, and to keep her until morning near herself." Catherine returned a short time after, and found little Laurencia in her room; she recognized that she was possessed by the demon, and suspected that it was the child that she had refused to see: Having questioned her companion and learned the order of her Confessor, she perceived that there was no means of escape; she therefore had recourse to prayer, and forced the child to kneel and pray with her. The whole night was consumed in thus combating the enemy by a holy vigil: before daybreak, the demon, was, notwithstanding his resistance, overcome by the divine virtue, and the delivered child felt no ill. In the morning, as soon as Alessia, Catherine's companion, was informed of it, she told her Confessor that Laurencia was no longer possessed. Friar Thomas,with the parents, repaired directly to Catherine's house; they found Laurencia completely cured, and with tears of joy, thanked God, and her whom he had deigned to use as his merciful instrument. They intended taking their daughter with them; but Catherine knew by a divine light what was to happen and bade them: " Leave the child there a few days, it being necessary to her salvation." They accepted this proposition with eagerness and joyfully withdrew. Catherine profited by this time to give holy counsels to Laurencia; she taught her by word and example to pray frequently and fervently, and prohibited her leaving the house, under any pretext, until her parents came for her. The child was docile, and showed herself day by day better disposed; the house in which she was staying, was not Catherine's, but that of her companion Alessia, and it was not very remote. It happened that Catherine remained a whole day at home with Alessia, ​having left Laurencia in charge with the domestic. After nightfall, Catherine suddenly called Alessia, and told her to put on her cloak and go with her at once to the child that had been entrusted to them; the latter observed that it was unbecoming for females to go out at that hour; but Catherine answered: "Hasten, for the infernal wolf has caught the lamb that we have saved." She and Alessia set out without delay — and when they reached the house they found Laurencia furious, her countenance totally distorted and inflamed. "Ah ! serpent," exclaimed Catherine, " you have dared to enter anew into that innocent child; but I have faith in Jesus my Saviour and Spouse; thou shalt make thy exit, no more to return." Pronouncing these words, she led the child into the place where the prayers had been offered, and after some instants, she brought her back perfectly delivered, and recommended her to take some repose. When morning arrived, she sent for the parents, and said: " Now, you may take your child in all security; she will not be tormented in future." The prophecy has so far been accomplished; Laurencia returned to her monastery and has served God in it, in peace, for more than sixteen years.
Being desirous of knowing more fully what had passed, I interrogated Catherine herself, and I asked her how the demon had been so audacious as to resist the power of relics and even exorcism: she answered that the obstinacy of the evil spirit was so great that she had been forced to dispute with him until four o'clock in the morning: she ordered him to come out in the Name of the Redeemer, and he obstinately refused, but after a prolonged contest, the demon perceiving himself on the point of being driven out, said: " If I leave her, I will ​enter thy soul. " Catherine said: " If God allow it: for I know that thou canst do naught without his permission, and I refrain from opposing his holy will in the least."
Then the spirit of pride, overcome by this trait of sincere humility, lost his power over that child; however he held her by the throat and provoked a swelling in it: Catherine raising her hand to the neck, made over it the blessed sign of Redemption; the devil then lost his grasp entirely.
The following miracle will exhibit more clearly to what a degree the blessed Catherine had received from God the power of driving out Satan; I was not present, for she had sent me to the Vicar of Jesus Christ, Pope Gregory XI., on affairs relative to the church; but brother ' Saint,' the hermit whose cure I related above, Alessia and other accompanying friends are witnesses,
Catherine had gone with the noble, and venerable Lady Bianchina, widow of John Agnolino Salimbeni, to la Roche Castle, where I had passed several weeks with her: a woman near this castle was seized with the demon, who tormented her shockingly. When Lady Bianchina knew this, she, through compassion, wished that Catherine would succor the unhappy victim: but she knew her humility and her annoyance, when they spoke to her of such subjects. Having taken counsel from her companions, she had the possessed person brought into Catherine's presence, in order that the sight of her might inspire charity and excite her to deliver her. When they conducted her there, our blessed Catherine was laboring to reconcile two enemies who were at war, and she was disposing herself to go into the neighborhood to terminate the quarrel. As ​soon as she beheld the possessed woman, she comprehended that escape was inevitable, and expressed her sorrow to Lady Bianchina; " May God forgive you, Lady, for what you have done ! Do you not know that I am often tormented by the devils; how can you oblige me to expose myself to them, by leading before me a possessed individual ? " then she turned towards the demoniac, saying: "You cursed spirit, who are resolved to prevent this reconciliation, place your head here, and wait in that position until my return ! "
At that order, the possessed woman with great docility placed her head as Catherine had commanded, and the Blessed Catherine went to terminate the work her charity had begun. Satan cried out, by the mouth of the possessed: " Why do you retain me here, let me go, I am too cruelly tormented." The persons present said: " Why do you not leave the room, the door is open ? " And the evil spirit said: " I cannot; that woman has enchained me." When he was asked whom he meant, he either would not or could not name her; he only said: " My enemy. " Brother Saint who supported the head of the possessed woman, asked him: " Is thy enemy very powerful ? " He answered " I have none greater in the whole world." When those present desired to prevent his screams, they tried to silence him by saying: " Be quiet, Catherine is coming." The first time he rejoined: " She is not coming yet, she is in such a place," and indicated the exact place where she actually was. On being asked what she was doing: he said, " Something that displeases me sovereignly, and which she often does " — and with that saying, he shrieked still louder: " Why keep me here ? " Still he never moved the head of the demoniac, from the position in which ​Catherine had commanded it to be placed. After a few moments he said: " The one I hate, is returning here." They asked where she was; he answered: " She is no longer in that place; she is in such a place," then added: " now she is there," and indicated all the different localities through which Catherine passed; at length he said, " now she is on the threshold of the house; " and it was correct. — When Catherine entered the room, he cried still more loudly: " Why do you keep me here ? " " Get up, wretch," said Catherine to him, " go forth quickly, and leave in peace this creature of our Lord Jesus Christ, and never presume to torment her anew." At these words, the evil spirit forsook every portion of her body, except the throat which he caused to swell in a fearful manner. Catherine applied her virginal hand and making the sign of the Cross over it, chased the demon away completely. The woman was relieved in presence of all the spectators; and being weak and overcome, by excess of suffering, Catherine sustained her some time by allowing her to recline upon her breast and in her arms; after ordering her some refreshing diet, they led her to her own house. When the poor invalid, who was delivered, had opened her eyes after sleeping, she was astonished to perceive herself surrounded by so many persons, and in the house of her mistress; and she inquired of her relatives, " who carried her there, and when ? " When they informed her that she had been tormented by the demon, she said that she had no remembrance of it, only she felt as though she had been beaten violently in every limb, and that her body felt universally bruised. She rendered humble thanks to her liberator, and went on foot to the house whence they had been forced to carry her on a litter.
Chapter IX
Of St. Catherine'S Gift Of Prophecy, And In What Manner She Delivered Several Persons From Danger Which Threatened Their Souls And Bodies
What I am about to offer may appear incredible; but the infallible Truth is my witness, that such has been my experience, that there is nothing of all that has ever occurred to me, of which I am so certain. Catharine possessed a prophetical spirit so perfect and so constant, that nothing could escape her; she knew whatever referred to herself or to those who approached her, or who sought her counsels for the benefit of their souls; it was impossible for us to do anything good or ill in her absence, without her having at the very instant a knowledge of it; we experienced it, so to speak, at each moment; and what is more admirable, she often told us our inmost thoughts, as if they had been hers. I know that for myself, and I confess it before the whole church militant, she rebuked me for certain thoughts which were troubling me in the very moment, and that I was obstinately concealing from her. I am not ashamed to declare it for her glory. " Why hide from me," said she to me, " what I see more clearly than you think." And she directly gave me wholesome advice on that subject. This happened to me very often. He who knows all things is my witness. But let us enter into some details; and for the sake of order, let us commence with things spiritual.
There was in Sienna a knight, who to nobility of birth ​added glorious exploits, and who had acquired in the neighborhood the title of " My Lord Nicolas des Sarrasius." After passing a great portion of his life in battles he had returned to his domestic fireside, intending to administer his estate, and enjoy a fortune; he made merry with his friends, and promised himself a long career. Eternal Goodness, who wills the death of none, inspired the knight's lady, and some pious relatives with a design of engaging him to go to confession and do penance for the sins committed in the lengthy wars, which had occupied the former portion of his life; but he, all devoted to visible things, derided these prudent counsels, and cared little for his eternal salvation.
At this period, the blessed Catherine enlightened the city of Sienna by her virtues, and was particularly remarkable by the conversion of sinners the most hardened, who were either completely converted, or at least renounced a portion of their evil customs. The individuals who were interesting themselves in the salvation of the knight, perceiving the futility of their efforts, requested
I him to hold a conversation with Catherine. " What have I to do with that good woman ? Pray, what service could she render me ? " His wife who was strongly attached to Catherine went to her and informed her how hardened was her husband, and entreated her to pray to God for his conversion. It happened one night that the blessed Catherine appeared in a dream to our chevalier, and warned him to listen to the good advice of his wife, if he would avoid eternal damnation. On awaking, he said to his lady: " Last night, I saw in my dreams, that Catherine of whom you so often speak with me; I should like to have an interview with her, and see if she really looks as she appeared to me." His wife ​overjoyed at this news, hastened to Catherine, thanked her, and agreed upon the time in which her husband might converse with her. In fine, the knight conversed with Catherine, was perfectly converted, and promised to go as soon as possible to confess hiss ins to Friar Thomas; he was faithful to grace and fulfilled his promise.
One morning after he had concluded, this man, whom I knew already, met me when I was returning from the city to my convent, and inquired of me where he would probably find Catherine at that time. I said: " I presume in our church." " I pray you," added he, " be so kind as to conduct me there, because it is necessary for me to speak with her." I cheerfully consented; and entering the church with him, I called one of Catherine's companions and charged her with the commission of the chevalier. Catherine arose from the place in which she was praying, and advancing to meet him, graciously and respectfully saluted him. The aged knight said to her with a profound inclination: " Madame, I have done what you prescribed to me; I confessed all my sins to Friar Thomas, who assigned me a penance, and I am resolved to accomplish it, such as it is imposed on me." Catherine responded: " You have acted wisely for the salvation of your soul, now avoid all your former practices and combat as valiantly for Jesus Christ, as you have done for the world." She added: " My Lord, have you confessed all that you did ? " And as he assured her that he was certain of having told all that came to his memory, she repeated to him: " Examine well, whether you have omitted nothing ? "
He affirmed anew that he had confessed all that he recollected. Catherine took leave of him, and allowed him to remain alone a few moments, and then called ​him by means of one of her companions, and said: " Examine your conscience I entreat you, and see whether you did not forget some sin." And as he again affirmed that he had confessed all, she drew him aside, and recalled to his memory a grievous sin that he had secretly committed when in la Puglia. The soldier, much astonished, acknowledged that he had indeed committed that sin; he went in search of his Confessor and completed his confession. Afterwards he could not keep silence in regard to this miracle, and narrated its particulars to all those that wished to hear him, as though he would say like the Samaritan woman of old: " Come and see this virgin who revealed to me my most secret offences; is she not a saint and a prophetess ? How do otherwise than recognize it, for the fault which she recalled to me, could be known to no one but myself." From that hour, the brave knight obeyed Catherine as a pupil obeys his master, and death soon manifested the necessity of this happy change. Ere that year had winged its flight, a painful illness concluded his days, and he rendered his soul to God in the best dispositions.
There are several points worthy of remark in this event; first, the apparition during sleep, the supernatural revelation of a sin, and then the salvation of a man, long habituated to offending. Let us, while blessing God for the use he made of Catherine's intercession, turn our attention to another species of revelation and a miraculous help obtained from heaven by her means.
Before enjoying the privilege of a particular acquaintance with the blessed Catherine, I dwelt a long time in a fortified place, called Montepulciano, and I directed there during four years, a monastery of Nuns of my Order. During my sojourn in this place, where there ​was no convent of Preaching Friars, I had with me but one companion, and I found great pleasure in receiving the Religious men who came from the houses in the vicinity, especially those for whom I felt a stronger spiritual friendship. Friar Thomas, (Catherine's Confessor,) and Friar George Naddo, now professor of Theology, proposed coming to see me in the convent of Sienna, in order to exchange spiritual consolations. So as to return more promptly to Catherine, (who always required Friar Thomas.) the two Religious took horses that were lent them by persons of their acquaintance. Arrived at about six miles from the place where they intended going, they had the imprudence to halt and rest themselves: the people of the place were not thieves by profession, but when they saw travellers alone and without defence, they allured them apart, robbed them, and sometimes killed them, so that justice might not discover their crimes.
Having observed these two Religious, unaccompanied and taking rest in an inn, they went before, to the number of ten or twelve, and awaited in the winding paths of a solitary place. When the Religious passed by, they attacked them roughly with swords and lances, dragged them from their horses, robbed them completely, and conducted them with abusive treatment into the depth of the forest: there they held council, and the two Religious comprehended perfectly well that there was question of killing them, and concealing their corpses in order to destroy all trace of their criminal conduct.
In the midst of such a pressing danger. Friar Thomas spared not entreaties, and promises of " saying nothing;" but when he saw that all was useless, and that they were conducting them farther and farther into the deep and ​entangled forest, he comprehended that God alone could succor them and began to pray. Knowing how agreeable his spiritual daughter was to God, he said interiorly: " O Catherine, meek and devoted servant of God, help us in this peril." Scarcely had he uttered these words in heart, than the Robber nearest him, and the one too who appeared to be charged to kill him, said: " Why should we kill these poor friars who never did us any injury } it would be indeed an enormous crime ! let us suffer them to go, they are good hearted men, who will never betray us." All accepted this opinion so suddenly advanced, with such unanimity, that not only they allowed the Religious their lives, but even restored to them their garments, horses and all that they had stolen, except a little money, and suffered them to go at liberty: they arrived at my house on the same day and related these preceding circumstances. When Friar Thomas returned to Sienna he certified, as he wrote, and as he recounted to me, that at the same moment in which he had invoked her assistance, Catherine said to one of her nearest companions: " My father Confessor is calling me, and I am aware that he is in great danger," and rising immediately she went to pray in her oratory. It cannot be doubted, that it was at that moment by the efficacy of her prayers, that a change so wonderful was produced in the dispositions of the robbers; and she did not, we may believe, desist from praying until they had restored to those Religious their liberty and their goods. It is evident that Catherine possessed the spirit of prophecy, for she knew at a distance of twenty-four miles, a mental prayer addressed to her, and was capable of granting so promptly and perfectly the help implored.
How advantageous is it to be in the friendship of ​persons who see like the angelic spirits, and who being clothed with power divine may aid us in every danger; and if Catherine's prayers were so powerful while she was yet in this terrestrial vale, what must be her influence now in Heaven.
I here present another circumstance to which I was witness with Friar Pierre de Velletri of my Order, actual Penitentiary at St. John Lateran: it was a renewed proof of Catherine's gift of prophecy. At the moment in which the greater portion of the cities and of the lands which belonged to the see of Rome, had revolted against the Sovereign Pontiff, Gregory XI. [viz in 1375], Catherine was at Pisa, whither I had accompanied her. When the news of the defection of Perouse reached us, I was distressed at beholding in Christians, neither the fear of God, nor love for his holy Church, since they despised the sentences of excommunication pronounced against them, and had the audacity to usurp the rights of the Spouse of Jesus Christ. I went therefore to Catherine, with Friar Pierre de Velletri, my heart drenched in grief, and with tearful eyes announced to her this melancholy event. At first she mingled her sorrow with ours and deplored the loss of souls and the great scandals which afflicted the Church; but after a little, perceiving that we were too much dejected, she said in order to calm us: " Be not in haste to shed tears; you will have worse things to excite your lamentations; what you now mourn is mere milk and honey to what will follow." These words instead of administering comfort awakened a deeper grief, and I said to her: " Mother, can we possibly witness greater misfortunes, than beholding Christians lose all love and respect for the Church of God, and fearless of her censures, separating from her union openly? ​the next step will be to deny our Lord himself ! " Then she said to me: " Now Laymen behave thus; but ere long you will find that the clergy will also render themselves culpable." And as, in great astonishment, I exclaimed, " how dreadful; — will the clergy also rebel against the Sovereign Pontiff ? " She continued, " When the Holy Father will attempt to reform their morals, the ecclesiastics will offer the spectacle of a grievous scandal to the whole church; they will ravage and divide it as though they were heretics." These words overwhelmed me with emotion, and I asked " Mother, will a new heresy arise ? " She answered: " It will not be an actual Heresy, but it will divide the Church with all Christendom; hence arm yourself with patience, for you will be obliged to witness the misfortunes."
I was silent and waited, because I fancied that she was disposed to disclose many other things to me: but not to increase my trouble she declined further predictions. I confess that I did not comprehend these correctly, at the moment, on account of the obscurity of my understanding: for I thought that all this would happen during the pontificate of the reigning Pope Gregory XL At his death I had nearly forgotten that prophecy, but when Urban VI. succeeded, and the Church was rent with schism I beheld the verification of what she predicted to me. Reproaching myself for the obtuseness of my intellect, I endeavored to hold another conversation with her on this subject, and God allowed me this privilege, when in obedience to the Order of the Supreme Pontiff, Catherine repaired to Rome, in the commencement of the Schism. I then reminded her of what she had said to me, several years previous: she had not forgotten it, and added: " I then told you that what was transpiring ​would prove but milk and honey; I now declare to you that the present transactions are children's sport in comparison with what will take place in the neighboring territories." She thus designated Sicily, the Roman province, and the surrounding country: heaven and earth can testify the accomplishment of that event. Queen Jeanne then reigned; but after, who can describe the misfortunes which lowered on her and her kingdom, on her successor and on foreigners who entered her States. The ravages which desolated that unhappy country are universally known. It is evident to any one in possession of reasoning faculties, that the Blessed Catherine was indued with the gift of prophecy in so high a degree that she read in the future, whatever of importance was destined to occur.
But that it may not be said, as Achab formerly said of Micheas: (IV. Kings, xii. 8) " His prophecies always announce evil and not good." I will present you sweets after the bitter, drawing for you from the pure treasures of things past and future belonging to the Blessed Catherine. At Rome I requested her to inform me what would happen in the Church after all these miseries. — She replied. " After these tribulations and trials will have passed, God will purify the holy Church by means unknown to men; he will arouse the souls of elect from lukewarmness and the reform of Holy Church will be so beautiful, the renovation of her ministers so perfect, that the future prospect of all this rejoices my soul in God. I have often spoken to you of the wounds, and of the nudity of the Spouse of Christ: but then she will be radiant with beauty, sparkling with jewels and crowned with a diadem of Virtues; the faithful will rejoice in the holiness of their pastors, and unbelievers attracted by ​the good odor of Jesus Christ, will return to the sheepfold, and will surrender themselves to the Chief and Bishop of their souls. Give thanks to God for the great calm, that he will grant to the Church, after that tempest." She said no more; and I who know that the Almighty is more prodigal of his kindness than of his rigors, I have a firm hope that after the ills which are happening, the blessings foretold by the Blessed Catherine will arrive; and that all the tribes of Israel shall know that she is truly a prophetess from God.
As there is here question of Catherine's prophecies, I think it the best place to confound the ignorance of those who presume to contest her sincerity, and spread shameful calumnies against her sanctity. To give a specious coloring to their falsehoods, they say that she predicted a general Crusade of Christians which she and her disciples were to follow into the Holy Land. She being dead many a year, as well as those who followed her, it is impossible that this pilgrimage should be accomplished, and they concluded thence that all her sayings were no prophecies, but discourses unworthy of attention.
I acknowledge, first, that it is very true that Catherine always desired a Crusade, and that she acted with diligence in the hope of realizing this desire: it was, it may be said, the ruling motive of her journey to Avignon; she intended engaging Pope Gregory to organize a holy War; and I am witness that she did so; because when she conversed with the Sovereign Pontiff on that subject, I acted as interpreter; Gregory XI. expressed himself in Latin, and Catherine in the dialect of Tuscany. The Sovereign Pontiff said to her: " First of all, peace must be established among Christians, and then we might organize a Crusade." Catherine replied to ​him: " Holy Father, there is no better means for reestablishing peace among Christians, than the undertaking of a Crusade. All the turbulent soldiers who now entertain division among the faithful, will go cheerfully and combat in the holy cause; very few will refuse to serve God in the profession which pleases them, and it will be a means for expiating their offences: the fire will be thus extinguished for want of fuel. You will thereby, Holy Father, accomplish several excellent things at once; you will bestow peace on such of the Christians as require it, and you will save great culprits by removing them. Should they gain important victories, you could act, in consequence, with Christian Princes; if they yield, you will have procured salvation to their perishing souls; and besides, many Saracens might be converted." These words show with what zeal the Blessed Catherine labored to organize this crusade.
Now, I declare to these calumniators that I never heard Catherine indicate in any manner whatsoever that a Crusade would certainly take place; I always found her on the contrary very reserved concerning it, never determining an epoch, but resigning the whole to divine Providence; she expressed a hope that God would cast a look of mercy on his people and thus save many believers and unbelievers; but none can truthfully advance that she ever fixed the period of that Crusade, and declared that she would follow it with her disciples: should any one appear to have thus understood her, they have conceived an incorrect interpretation of her words.
The person who was the subject of the following prophecy, relates it daily to any one desirous of hearing it. There lived in Sienna, at the period of my acquaintance with Catherine, a youth of noble birth, but at that ​time of vile and contemptible manners; he was called then as now, Frangois Malevolti. He lost his parents at an early age, and the too great liberty he possessed led him into the most vicious practices. He espoused a youthful wife, and this union ought to have incited him to a reformation of life, but he could not resolve to break off his wretched customs. One of his companions who was a disciple of Catherine, took compassion on his soul, and invited him to go and hear the holy counsels of the " Blessed," and he succeeded in leading him there occasionally; after which Frangois would repent and moderate his disorders for a time, but without being able to forsake them totally. I have often seen him with us; he relished Catherine's salutary lessons and admirable examples, and took pleasure in adopting them; but he would return to his former habits, especially to gaming, of which he was passionately fond. Catherine, who often prayed for his salvation, said to him one day in the ardor of her zeal: " You frequently come to visit me, and then like an untamed bird you return to your vices; but fly away as much as you please, the moment will come when God will allow me to throw a noose around your neck, which will prohibit your future flight ! " Francois and all present observed these words. Catherine died without seeing their accomplishment — poor Frangois relapsed into his former faults; but his faithful friend did more for him in heaven than her counsels could effect for him in earth. Fran9ois first lost his wife, by an early death; then his mother-in-law, and other individuals who presented obstacles to his salvation. He was thus led to consider his ways, and renounced the world to enter into the Order of the Olivetains. He persevered therein, by God's grace and Catherine's merits; ​he always attributes his conversion to her who had predicted it, and continually tells the tale to every willing listener.
To make a recapitulation here, of all that has reference to souls, I am about to relate a fact of which God rendered me the witness, but which is better appreciated by dom Bartholomew de Ravenne who was then, and is still Prior of the Carthusians, in Gorgone Island, thirty miles from the port of Livourno. This Religious, who possessed fervent piety joined to a consummate prudence, was greatly attached to Catherine, and extremely edified by her admirable instructions; he often pressed her to come and pass a day in his island, that he might conduct his Brethren to her and let them profit by God's holy word, and he entreated me to support his petition. Catherine consented to it; we made the voyage to the number of about twenty persons. The night of our arrival, the Prior lodged the " Blessed " and her companions about a mile from the monastery; and the following morning he conducted all of his monks to Catherine and requested her to favor them with some words of edification. Catherine refused at first, excusing herself on the grounds of her incapacity, her ignorance, and her sex; saying that it was meet that she should listen to God's servants, rather than speak in their presence. Overcome at last by the earnest prayers of the Father and of his spiritual sons, she began to speak, and said what the Holy Ghost inspired her in reference to the numerous temptations and illusions which Satan presents to solitaries, and concerning the means of avoiding his wiles and of gaining a complete victory, and all this she did with so much method and distinctness, that I was filled with amazement, as indeed were all her audience. When she ​had terminated, the Prior turned towards me and said with admiration: " Dear Brother Raymond, I confess these Religious, — and, consequently,know the defects of each. I assure you, that if this saintly female had heard as myself all their confessions, she could not have spoken in a more just and profitable manner; she neglected none of their wants, and did not utter a useless word. It is evident that she possesses the gift of prophecy and that she speaks by the Holy Ghost."
In fine, I will add, that I am positively certain in reference to my own case she predicted many things that I did not suspect, and of which I now see the full accomplishment; but I decline entering into further details. I will restrict myself to what happened to others: she had announced the terrible chastisements that would befall some persecutors of the Catholic Church: I say naught concerning them because of the wickedness of the people of our time, and to avoid exciting against her glorious name the venom of detractors.
Chapter X
Of The Miracles That Our Lord Produced By Means Of Catharine On Things Inanimate.
Supreme Justice wills that all things obey those who are perfectly obedient to God. Catherine obeyed her Creator faithfully, and all creatures in return fulfilled her commands. At the period in which our Saint lived in Sienna, and previous to my acquaintance with her, there was a young widow, Alessia by name, who indulged such an affection to Catherine that life was unpleasant when deprived of her society. She was anxious to be clothed with the holy livery which Catherine wore, and deserted her own house to occupy one near Catherine's, and thus be able to commune with her more frequently: hence our Blessed Catherine neglected somewhat the paternal roof, often tarrying with Alessia several days, and sometimes weeks and entire months. One year grain was scarce; many inhabitants had purchased wheat that was spoiled by humidity and it being impossible to find any other for any price, Alessia was forced to do the same. At the approach of harvest, before their provision of flour was exhausted,new and excellent grain was brought to the market: and hence Alessia intended throwing away the remains of the bad flour, and make bread of the new wheat just purchased, and mentioned her intention to Catherine. The latter said, " Why throw away what God has given for man's sustenance ? if you do not like to eat of that bread distribute it to the poor who ​have none." Alessia said that she scrupled giving them bread that was of such bad quality, and preferred giving them plentifully of that formed out of the good flour, to which Catherine replied: " Prepare the water, and bring hither the flour that you intended throwing away, I will myself make some loaves of it, to distribute to the poor of Jesus Christ."
Catherine first kneaded the paste, and then formed from a small quantity of the bad flour, such a number of loaves, and with such promptitude, that Alessia and her domestic who were looking on, could not recover from their astonishment; four or five times the amount of flour would have been requisite for making all the loaves which the blessed Catherine presented to Alessia that the latter might arrange them on the boards; and these loaves of bread had not the disagreeable odor of those that had been hitherto made from this flour. When the whole was used, Catherine sent the bread to the oven and caused it to be served at table. All who partook of it not only found it free from bitterness or any unusual odor, but on the contrary declared they " had never eaten any so pleasant." The affair was reported to Friar Thomas, Catherine's Confessor, who came with other learned Religious to examine these particulars; those pious men were in admiration at the view of the multiplied quantity of the loaves and their quality so marvelously corrected. A third prodigy succeeded these two: Catherine caused the loaves to be distributed; they were given copiously to the poor and to the Religious: no other bread was consumed in the house, and yet a great quantity was ever in the Pantry. Thus the Lord, by the intervention of his handmaid, signalized his power in three ways, on the occasion of her loaves; ​first he corrected the corruption and bad odor of the flour; then he increased the paste from which it was formed, and in fine he so multiplied the bread that it served for distribution during several weeks. Many pious persons kept portions of this bread through devotion, there are some still provided with it, although twenty years have elapsed since the occurrence of this miracle. Catherine was yet living, when I became acquainted with the above prodigy, and as I felt anxious to know' more perfectly what passed I interrogated her in private concerning the details of this event, and she gave me the following answer: " I experienced an ardent wish to avoid throwing away what God had designed to bestow on us, together with an extreme compassion for the poor; I went therefore with fervor to the chest (or bin) containing the flour. My gentle Queen, the Blessed Virgin, appeared to me accompanied by Saints and Angels, she ordered me to do what I projected and deigned in her affectionate kindness to work with her royal hands in the kneading of the paste, and it was the virtue emanating from her sacred hands which so multiplied the loaves; she presented them to me as she finished each one, and I handed them to Alessia and her maid-servant." I said therefore, " Mother, I am no longer astonished that this bread tasted so delicious, being composed and moulded by the glorious hands of that great Queen in whose virginal womb the august Trinity condescended to make the bread that came down from heaven, and which gives life to the believer." By thus assisting Catherine, the Mother of the Word designed to show us that she gave us by her intercession the spiritual bread of salvation; just as she gave us a material and miraculous bread. It was God who had inspired us to call her Mother and truly ​she gave us birth amid sighings and sorrow, until she had formed Christ within us, and daily distributed to us the wholesome bread of her excellent instructions.
Having spoken of this multiplication of bread we will continue the same subject, recalling what happened in the latter period of her life. My witnesses are, two Sisters of Penance of St. Dominic, who are still living and at present in Rome. The first is Lysa, whose name is familiar to the reader, the second is Jeanne de Capo who was also at Sienna. They accompanied Catherine when Urban VI. of happy memory, bade her come to the Eternal City. She lodged in the section of the column of Antonius, with a great number of her spiritual children. Her disciples had followed her, as it were, without her permission; some to visit the holy places, others to ask some favor from the Sovereign Pontiff, but all more particularly to enjoy the attractions of her conversations, which were so profitable to souls; and it must also be said that the Sovereign Pontiff caused several servants of God to go to Rome, in consequence of a request from Catherine, and she took pleasure ia showing them hospitality. She possessed naught in the wide world having " neither money nor purse," but begged for a support with her companions; yet she would have received a hundred persons as easily as one alone, so confiding was her heart in God; she knew that God's treasures were inexhaustible; hence, at that epoch she had at least twenty-four persons with her and the number was at intervals considerably increased. Catherine established an admirable system in the house; one of her associates was designated each week to provide for and survey the domestic arrangements, so that the others might be occupied with God and accomplish ​the pious works and holy visits which had induced them to come to Rome.
Jeanne de Capo had her turn in fulfilling the functions of housekeeper. The bread consumed in the house was procured from the daily alms; and Catherine had recommended to the person in charge that each week she should give notice, one day in advance, when the bread would probably fail, in order that she might send other mendicant Religious, or go in quest of it herself. God permitted Jeanne to forget this recommendation on one occasion; in the evening the bread was nearly all consumed; she had not forewarned Catherine and had no means of procuring any. There was scarcely enough of bread for the repast of four persons. Jeanne acknowledged her negligence, and went pensive and mortified to confess her fault and her embarrassment to Catherine. The latter said to her: " Sister, our Lord forgive you for having reduced us to this position, notwithstanding the order I gave you. Now, the whole community are hungry for it is already quite late; and where can bread be procured for so many at so short a notice." Jeanne lamented, confessing her fault, and saying that she had sinned through negligence and merited a penance. " Warn the servants of God to take their places at the table," said Catherine. And when Jeanne observed that there was so little bread, that by dividing it no one would have sufficient, Catherine answered " Tell them to commence with the little that is served, and wait until God provides for their necessities; " — and then she went to prayer.
Jeanne accomplished her orders, and apportioned among them all, the scanty supply of bread. The guests weakened and famished by the continual fasts which they observed (for the greater part,) found their ​shares very insignificant and thought they must quickly disappear; but in vain they ate, they never saw the last piece, for some bread continually remained on the table, and in this there was nothing to excite surprise, since it was the will of Him who, with five loaves, satisfied five thousand men in the wilderness.
Each one was astonished at herself and her neighbors, and all inquired in what manner Catherine was occupied; it was Answered i7i fervent prayer. The sixteen persons who were then present agreed in saying: Her prayer has called down bread from heaven; we are all satisfied; the little that was served us, far from being diminished is instead increased. After the repast such a quantity of bread remained on the table, that it sufficed to the Sisters in the house and others who afterwards partook of it plentifully; and they were also able to give an abundant alms to the poor. Lysa and Jeanne, eyewitnesses of this marvel, recounted to me one similar to it, which God accomplished by means of Catherine in the same house and in the same year, during the Lenten season and in a week that Frangois (a Sister Penitent of St. Dominic and spiritual companion of Catherine on earth, and I trust now in the better land) was housekeeper.
I am unwilling also to pass in silence what happened to myself when Catherine had gone to the home of the blessed; my witnesses are, all of the Friars who were at that moment in the convent of Sienna. — It is nearly five years ago; I was in that city and at the earnest petition of Catherine's spiritual children, I had commenced writing her life: it occurred to me that the head of the Saint, which had been brought from Rome to Sienna, and which I had ornamented to the best of my ability, had not yet been publicly exposed and honored. I ​thought that a day might be selected, for a solemn reception of this precious relic in the convent, as though it had just arrived, and that the Religious might chant the Office of the day, as a particular one could not be allowed as long as the Sovereign Pontiff had not yet inscribed her in the catalogue of the Saints. The festival took place to the great satisfaction of the Religious and the citizens, but especially of those persons of whom she had been the spiritual directress. I invited her most faithful disciples to dine in the refectory and recommended the lay Brother to give an extra attention to the serving of the repast.
When the Office was concluded, and the moment for breakfast arrived, the Brother in charge of the Pantry came to the Prior and told him with a melancholy air, that there was not sufficient bread for the Brethren at the first table, and none at all for the twenty invited guests. On this information, the Prior determined to ascertain the real situation of affairs, and having verified it, he immediately sent the Friar steward with Friar Thomas (Catherine's first Confessor) to several friends of the Order, to bring the bread required; but they delayed coming so long, that the Prior ordered the bread that was in the house to be taken to the strangers who were with me, and consequently very little bread remained in the Pantry; and as the mendicants did not appear, he bade the Religious seat themselves at the table, and in the mean time begin their meal. Then, either in the pantry, or at table, or elsewhere, the bread was so multiplied by Catherine's intercession, that the whole Convent was abundantly supplied both at the first and the second tables, and they gathered up many remains: fifty Religious were nourished with what could scarcely have ​sufficed for five among them. When the mendicant Friars returned, it was announced that their collection would serve another time, because God had perfectly provided for the necessities of his servants. After the repast, I conversed with our invited friends; I was talking at length of the virtues of Saint Catherine, when the Prior with some other Religious arrived, and recounted to us the miracle that had just taken place: I consequently observed to my hearers: " Our blessed mother would not deprive us on her feast of a prodigy which she often effected during her sojourn on earth: and this is a new proof that she accepts our homage and is continually with us; hence let us return thanks to God, and to her, for her maternal kindness."
Besides the above wonders, God worked many miracles by his Spouse,— on flowers for example (for the Saint was very fond of this poetry of nature;) on broken, or injured articles, and indeed on every grade of inanimate objects; but I observe silence concerning them in order to avoid prolixity. I must however indulge myself in narrating a circumstance, testified by twenty persons, as well as myself, and well-known to the citizens of Pisa in general. In 1375, Catherine and her suit lodged at the house of Gherard Buonconti — and during her sojourn there her continual ecstasies so enfeebled her body that we thought her at the point of death. I dreaded losing her, and reflected upon what means I could adopt for reviving her: she held meat, eggs and wine in abhorrence, and for a stronger reason she would certainly decline any kind of cordials. I asked her to suffer them to put a little sugar in the cold water that she was taking: she directly answered: " Would you extinguish ​my feeble remains of vigor and life: whatever is sweet is poison to me."
Gherard and myself sought with anxiety some remedy against her swoons: I remembered having seen in similar cases the temples and wrists of the invalid bathed in the wine of Vernaccia and a sensible relief thus afforded. I proposed to Gherard the administering the exterior remedy, as we could do nothing for the interior. He informed me that he had a neighbor who was supplied with a cask of this kind of wine, and that he could easily send and procure some of it. The individual sent on this commission, described the fainting fits of Catherine, and asked in Gherard's name a bottle of the desired wine. The neighbor, whose name I forget, answered: " Friend I would willingly give Gherards, the whole cask; but it has been completely empty during the last three months; I am sorry for it, but to be very sure, come with me and see." He then conducted him to the wine-cellar — the messenger saw only exteriorly that the hogshead was empty, yet the proprietor to give a greater certitude drew the wooden peg which served for drawing off the wine; when immediately an excellent wine of Vernaccia come forth in abundance and moistened the surrounding earth. The astonishment of the owner was at its height, he closed the opening, called all the inmates of his house, and asked whether any one had put new wine into the cask. All declared that their had been no wine in it during the last three months, and it was impossible for any one to have poured any into it. The news was spread in the environs and everybody saw the miracle. The messenger overjoyed and filled with wonder, brought back a bottle of the marvellous wine, and recounted to us what had transpired. ​ Catherine's numerous spiritual children rejoiced in the Lord, and gave thanks to the Spouse of virgins for this miracle.
A few days after, Catherine, being re-established, went to visit the Apostolical Nuncio just arrived at Pisa; the whole city was in commotion; all the mechanics left their workshops to go out and meet her. Behold ! said they, one who does not drink wine, and who has yet filled an empty Cask with miraculous wine. As soon as Catherine became aware of this general movement, she poured out her tears and prayers before God. She thus complained to him interiorly: " Lord, why wilt thou afflict the heart of thy lowly servant, and render her the sport of everybody ? All of thy servants can live in peace among men, except me ! Who did solicit this wine from thy bounty ? For many long years, by an effect of thy inspiration, I deprive myself of wine, and now behold wine covers me with ridicule. In the name of all thy mercies, I conjure thee to dry up, as quickly as possible, this wine, and in such a manner as to destroy this report and unbecoming excitement. " God seemed incapable of supporting her trouble longer, and produced a second miracle, greater in my opinion than the first. The hogshead was filled with superior wine, and many of the inhabitants procured quantities from it through devotion, and yet its contents had not diminished, but on a sudden the wine changed into a thick sediment, and what had been lately so delightful and exhilarating, became disgusting dregs similar to mud, and utterly unfit for drinking. In consequence, the master of the cellar and those who went to obtain wine, were forced to be silent, being ashamed to relate any more the circumstance that had ​excited their boasting. Catherine's disciples were also contradicted by this change, but she appeared quite gay. and happy at the event, and thanked her divine Spouse who had delivered her from the attentions of men.
In the former miracle, our Lord showed how very agreeable Catherine was in his sight, and in the latter, how profoundly submissive she was towards Him; in the former appeared the grace which adorns her; in the latter her wisdom; for where humility dwells there also is wisdom found: for this reason, St. Gregory, in his first book of Dialogues, esteems wisdom above prodigies and miracles. It is clear that the virtue of humility, without which there is no prudence, was the cause of the second miracle, and rendered it more admirable than the first; but the carnal heart cannot comprehend these things, and it is not astonishing, because the prudence of the flesh is not and can never be submissive to God. (Rom. viii. 7)
Chapter XI
Of Catherine'S Frequent Communions, And Of The Miracles Produced By Almighty God For Her, Relative To The Holy Eucharist And The Relics Of The Saints.
Dear reader, God knows I would willingly conclude this biography, particularly on account of the numerous occupations which press me on every side; but when I meditate on Catherine's life, so many wonderful circumstances present themselves to my mind, that I am conscientiously obliged to add daily new facts, and extend this volume beyond the limits that I primarily prescribed to it. It is well known to all who were acquainted with Catherine what profound respect and devotion she entertained for the Body of our Lord in the Blessed Eucharist. It was publicly rumored that Catherine communicated every day, and that she could live without taking any other nourishment. That, was not perfectly exact; but those who said so, piously believed it, and glorified God who is always wonderful in his Saints. Catherine did not receive holy communion daily, but very often; and some haughty persons, more heathenish than Christian, murmured at these frequent communions. In consequence I defended the " Blessed," and they found naught to reply to the arguments that I offered, because they were all drawn from the lives and writings of the Saints, and from the tenets of the Church.
It was proved in the work of St. Dennis on the ecclesiastical Hierarchy, that in the primitive church, when the fervor of the Holy Ghost abounded, the faithful ​of both sexes approached daily to the Holy Sacrament of the Altar; this appears to be the meaning of St. Luke, when in the Acts of the Apostles he speaks of the breaking bread; and once he adds " cum exulta Hone,'" with gladness (Act. ii. 46) which can only be applied to the Eucharistic food. In the fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer, in which we solicit our daily bread, this is explained of the holy Communion, and such interpretation, far from being rejected, ought to be accepted with love, as a token of the daily Communion of the faithful. Our Holy Mother, the Church, has in the Canon of the Mass, a prayer for those who communicate with the priest, and it is not without reason that she says: Supplices te rogamtis, omnipotens Deus, jube hcec perferri per mamcs sancti angeli. " And we humbly implore thee, Almighty God, grant that this Host be borne by the hands of the holy angels." And she adds: Ut quot quot ex hac altaris participatione sacro sanctum Filii tin corpus et sanguinem stimpserimils, etc. " So that, by this participation in the altar, we may receive the body and blood of thy divine Son." Hence all the holy Fathers teach that the faithful who have not the conscience defiled with mortal sin, and who feel a devotion not only can, but also do right to approach this Sacrament, which is so profitable to their salvation. Who, therefore, would presume to interdict a person of holy and irreproachable life, the means of making rapid progress in perfection ? I have no hesitation in saying that a refusal to a person who humbly asks, the sacrament commemorative of the Passion of our Lord, would be doing her a considerable injury, for this is to the privileged the viaticum of her pilgrimage. After all that I have here advanced, there still exist ​persons who will insist that it is not permitted to any among the faithful, whatever be their degree of tendency to perfection, to receive the Holy Eucharist so frequently: some even, (not understanding well,) will say that it must be received but once in the year; but I rely more on the testimony of the sacred Writings than on all their reasonings.
As a support to their ridiculous opinions, some of those haughty spirits, who are destitute of devotion, and of intelligence of the Holy Scriptures, cite a passage from St. Augustine, wherein he says, that he neither blames nor praises those who communicate daily. That great Doctor intended saying that daily communion is good; but, that it may sometimes be dangerous: he leaves its appreciation to the judgment of the Omniscient God, and refrains from giving any decision on this point. If that splendid genius, that prince among Doctors, is so reserved, I am at a loss to comprehend how those who quote him can resolve the question with so much assurance. I remember Catherine's response to a bishop who alleged the authority of Saint Augustine, against frequent Communion. " If," said she, " Saint Augustine does not censure it, why my Lord, will you censure it ." By thus quoting him, your Lordship places yourself in opposition with him."
The great Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas, examines the utility of the faithful communicating frequently and daily, and thus replies: frequent communion increases the devotion of him who receives it, but it sometimes lessens respect. Hence, every Christian should cultivate and possess the devotion and respect due to this greatest of the Sacraments; and when he perceives that frequent communion diminishes that respect, he should in ​prefer to renew and increase it, abstain sometimes; but if he perceives that his respect, far from diminishing, increases, he should receive the Eucharist often, because a soul well-disposed necessarily acquires great graces by the reception of that admirable and efficacious Sacrament. This is the opinion of the angelical Doctor, whose doctrine Catherine followed in every respect. She communicated often, and sometimes denied herself the consolation, although she always desired to be united to her divine Spouse in the adorable Eucharist. Her burning charity unceasingly inclined her towards Him whom she had seen really, and whom she loved with all her heart and will.
Such was the vivacity of her desires, that on the days in which she was deprived of holy communion, her body suffered in the same manner as one that had long undergone a violent malady: she frequently endured interior troubles which re-acted exteriorly: and she owed this to some unenlightened Religious who directed her, as to the Superior of the Sisters of Penance, and sometimes to persons for whom she entertained the warmest attachment. This was one of her reasons for finding greater consolation in my ministry than in that of my predecessors. I used every possible effort to obtain the consolation she so much desired — she was conscious of this, and when she sighed for the Bread of Angels, she used to say to me: " Father, I am hungry; for the love of God feed my soul ! " Therefore the Sovereign Pontiff, Gregory XI. by a special Bull gave her a permission to have a Priest and a portable Altar, so that, she could everywhere and always, without any permission, hear Mass and receive holy Communion.
After these explanations, I purpose narrating a miracle ​of which I was sole witness; when in my ministry at the Altar, (unworthy though I was of that dignity;) I presume that Almighty God intended glorifying his Name in my presence, and gave me to understand how agreeable the fidelity of his hand-maid was in his sight. I confess that I prefer not relating the fact, but in conscience I cannot remain silent, because there is question of God's honor and that of blessed Catherine.
After our return from Avignon to Sienna, we visited in the environs of the city, some servants of God, in order to console ourselves together in the Lord. We came back on the festival of St. John the Evangelist, and when we arrived at Catherine's the hour of Tierce had already passed. She turned towards me and said: " O father, did you but know how hungry my poor soul is." I understood her meaning, and rejoined: the hour of saying Mass is nearly elapsed, and I am so fatigued that it is very difficult for me to prepare myself for it. She remained silent a moment; but soon, unable to restrain the expression of her desire she said to me again: " I am famished." I then consented to yield to her request, and repaired to the chapel in her house, which had been permitted her by the Holy Father; I confessed her; I clothed myself in my sacerdotal vestments, and celebrated the Mass of the day; I consecrated one small Host for her, and when I had communicated, I turned to give her the ordinary absolution. Her countenance was angelic and beaming with light; so changed was she, that I hesitated in recognizing her, and I said interiorly: " Is the Lord truly thy faithful and beloved Spouse ? " and on turning again to the Altar, I added mentally: " Come Lord to thy Spouse." At the same instant the sacred Host, before I touched it moved, and came at more than ​three fingers' distance to the paten, which I was holding in my hand, I was so much occupied with the light that I had seen beaming from Catherine's countenance, and of the motion of the consecrated Host, which I distinctly saw, that I do not perfectly remember whether it placed itself alone on the paten, or whether I laid it there; I dare not affirm it, but I think it deposited itself thereon. God is my witness that I tell the truth; but should any one be unwilling to credit my assertion, because of my defects and the imperfect life he observes in me, let him remember that the bounty of the Saviour assists men, and even animals destitute of reason; (Ps. xxxv. 7) and that God's secrets are revealed not alone to the great, but to the insignificant; let them also recal the portion of inspired Truth, Novi enim vejiivocarejnstos, sedpeccatores. (Matt. ix. 13) " I came not to call the just, but sinners to repentance." As to such as despise sinners, inspiration again says: Euntes autem discite quid est: miser icordiatn volo et 7to?i sacrificium. " Learn that I desire mercy and not sacrifice." I limit myself to the defence that belongs to sinners; let the just and God's servants pardon me, as I am sure they will, for the servants of God are full of mercy. If others judge me, their judgment is naught; if I am firm, or if I fall, God alone is my Judge: he sees when I pause, and when I go forward; he is my master and he knows that I declare the truth. I cannot suppose that I was deluded by Satan, in the midst of so august a sacrifice; I am positive that I beheld the Sacred Host, without the least exterior agency, move and advance towards me, at the moment in which I was saying interiorly: " Come Lord to thy Spouse." Let those who believe, praise the Lord; as ​to others, I am sure that the day will come in which they will discern their error.
I began by describing what occurred to myself alone; I will now relate a prodigy, which I think not less worthy of attention: those who confide in my words, will discover how agreeable it was to the Saviour to find our " Blessed " so ardently desiring to receive him in the divine Eucharist. If my memory does not deceive, this circumstance is antecedent to the one that I have just recounted; but the date is not so essential as a truthful relation of it.
By order of my Superiors, I was in Sienna, and fulfilled the charge of Lector, when I was acquainted with St. Catherine, and I exerted my best efforts to procure her the privilege of receiving the Holy Communion: consequently when she desired to approach the Holy Table, she addressed herself more confidently to me than to other Religious belonging to the Monastery. One morning she experienced an ardent desire of Holy Communion, although her pain in the side and other sufferings were more than usually oppressive; but this obstacle only stimulated her desire; and as she hoped that her pains would subside a little, she sent one of her companions to me as I entered the church to say Mass, requesting me to defer the Holy Sacrifice a short time, as she experienced an invincible desire of receiving Holy Communion. I cheerfully consented, went to the Choir, and after reciting my Office continued to wait. Catherine had entered the church without my knowledge, at the hour of Tierce, hoping to satisfy her pious desire: but her associates seeing the lateness of the hour, and knowing that after Communion she would remain several hours in ecstasy, and cause murmurs at leaving the church open, engaged her to deprive herself of Communion for that day. She, ever ​humble and discreet,did not presume to contradict them, but took refuge in prayer; she knelt beside a bench placed at the very extremity of the Church, and entreated her Divine Spouse, since men could not accomplish it, to deign himself to satisfy the holy desires that he had condescended to excite in her heart. Almighty God who never despises the desires of his servants, heard the prayer of his Spouse in a wonderful manner. I was ignorant of these occurrences, and believed that Catherine was at home, — when it had been decided that she should not Communicate one of her Sisters came to the place where I was still waiting, and told me that Catherine begged me to say Mass whenever it was convenient to me, because she could not receive on that day.
I went without delay to vest in the Sacristy, and offered Mass at an Altar in the upper end of the Church, and which is dedicated to Saint Paul. Catherine was therefore remote from me the whole length of the edifice, and I was completely ignorant of her presence. After the consecration and the Fater Noster I intended, in accordance with the sacred rites, to divide the Host. At the first fraction, the Host instead of separating in two divided into three portions, two larger and one small, which it seemed to me was as long as a common bean, but not so wide. This particle, while I was attentively looking at it, appeared to me to fall on the corporal, by the side of the chalice above which I made the fraction; I saw it clearly descend towards the Altar; but I could not distinguish it on the corporal.
Presuming that the whiteness of the corporal hindered me from discerning this particle, I broke another, and after saying Agnus Dei, I consumed the sacred Host. As soon as my right hand was at liberty, I used it to seek ​on the corporal, beside the chalice at the side on which it seemed to me the particle fell: but I found nothing. Extremely troubled at the circumstance, I continued the ceremonies of the Mass, and after having finished the Communion, I renewed my search by examining the corporal in every way; but neither sight nor touch could discover anything. I was so much afflicted that I wept; I determined to conclude the Mass on account of the persons present and afterwards carefully visit the Altar. In effect when all had withdrawn, I examined minutely not alone the corporal, but every portion of the Altar — I could discover nothing. As I stood before a large picture, I could not believe that the particle had fallen behind the Altar, although I perceived it taking that direction when it escaped from my hands. For greater certainty, I searched on the two sides and even looked on the floor; but always with the same result. Then I thought of going to take counsel from the Convent Prior. I carefully covered the Altar, and recommended the Sacristan not to allow any one to approach until my return. I retired to the Sacristy; but scarcely had I laid aside my vestments, than Father Christopher, Prior of the Carthusians, arrived. I knew him well, and felt a deep affection for him; his object in visiting me was to obtain, through my influence, an interview with Catherine. I asked him to please to wait a short time, because I was obliged to go and speak with the Prior; but he replied: " This is a day of solemn fasting, and I must absolutely return immediately to the Monastery; you know that it is very remote from the city — in the name of God do not keep me waiting, for in conscience I am obliged to speak with Catherine." I bade the Sacristan remain and guard the Altar, until my return, and I went with the Religious ​as far as Catherine's residence, where they told me she was at the Friars' Church. I was greatly astonished — I turned back with my companion, and in effect, found Catherine, with her associates, in the lower part of the Church. I enquired of them where she was; they answered that she was kneeling on one of the benches in an ecstasy; and as I was still annoyed at the accident that had occurred to me, I besought them to use every means of making her return to herself, because we were in great haste. They obeyed, and when we were seated with the Prior, I told him in a low voice and in a few words, my anxiety; she smiled gently and said to me, just as though she knew all the particulars: " Did you not search diligently ? " on my answering, "yes" she added, "why, then, should you be troubled so much; " and again she could not avoid smiling. I observed it, and kept silence, during her conversation with the Prior, who went away as soon as he had obtained the desired response. I was already more tranquilized, and said: " Mother, I really believe that you took the particle of my consecrated Host." She meekly answered: " Do not accuse me of that. Father, it was not I, but another; I can merely inform you that you will not find that particle again." Then I obliged her to explain. " Father," said she, " be no wise troubled in reference to that particle; I will tell you the truth as to my Confessor and my spiritual father; that particle was brought me, and presented for my reception by our Lord Jesus Christ himself. My companions engaged me not to communicate this morning, in order to avoid certain murmurs. I was unwilling to be troublesome to them, but I had recourse to my divine Spouse: he condescendingly appeared to me and gave me, with his sacred hands, that particle which you had ​consecrated — I received it from his own sacred hands. Rejoice, therefore, in him; because I have this day from him a grace for which I can never sufficiently thank my Saviour ! " This explanation changed my sadness into joy; and I was so encouraged by these words, that I no longer experienced the slightest anxiety.
I relate these miracles in order that God and man may not charge me with ingratitude and negligence. We will now pass to other wonders which have been narrated to me by other witnesses.
Several individuals, worthy of credit, assured me that when they assisted at the Mass at which Catherine received holy communion, they saw distinctly the sacred Host escaping from the hands of the priest and flying to her mouth; they told me that this prodigy happened even when I gave her the sacred Host; I own that I never remarked it very clearly, only I always perceived a certain trembling in the consecrated host, when I presented it to her lips: it entered her mouth like a little stone thrown from a distance with force. Friar Bartholomew of St. Dominic, professor of Sacred Scripture (Ecriture Sainte) and now Prior Provincial, of my Order for the Roman province, told me also, that when he gave Catherine the holy Communion he felt the Sacred Host escaping notwithstanding his efforts to hold it. I dare neither affirm nor deny it, and I leave it to the reader's piety to decide what he should believe.
I conclude this recital of miracles which refer to the Holy Eucharist, to say a word of those which refer to the relics of the Saints.
It was revealed to Catherine, that in the kingdom of heaven, she would enjoy the same rank as the blessed Sister Agnes of Montepulciano, and that she would enjoy ​with her celestial bliss; hence she ardently desired to visit her relics, in order to enjoy even in this life, a foretaste of the happiness of being her companion in eternity. But that the reader may know who Sister Agnes of Montepulciano was, and that he may comprehend the prodigies I purpose relating, I must inform him that by order of my superiors, I was during more than three years, director of the monastery in which reposes the body of that holy virgin. From the manuscripts that I have found there, and the relation of four sisters who had been under her direction and who are still living, I found materials for writing her history, and I intend recapitulating in a few words that work of my early youth, to give an idea of the virtues and the sanctity of the Blessed Agnes, who has not yet been inscribed in the catalogue of the Saints. Divine Goodness had so anticipated her with benedictions that at the moment of her entrance into the world, a great supernatural light filled her mother's house, and did not cease until after her birth, to notify with how many merits God had adorned the little girl that just entered life. Indeed each successive year of her existence adorned her with virtues always greater and more beautiful; she founded two convents of Nuns, and in the second where she reposes, she performed during her lifetime, numerous and brilliant miracles which she multiplied and surpassed after her death. Among these prodigies, there is one ever subsisting; her virginal body has never been interred and is miraculously and entirely preserved. It was intended to embalm her body an account of the admirable deeds she had accomplished during her life, but from the extremities of her feet and hands, a precious liquor issued drop by drop and the Convent sisterhood collected it in a vase ​of crystal and still preserve it: this liquor is similar to balm in color, but it is without doubt more precious. God designed thereby to show that her pure flesh that distilled the balm of Grace had no need of earthly embalmment. At the moment of her decease which took place during the night, little infants reposing in their cradles cried out to their parents: " Sister Agnes is leaving her body and becoming a Saint in heaven." In the morning, a great number of young girls assembled under an inspiration from God, unwilling to admit any married woman among them; they went processionally and bearing lighted tapers, to the monastery, to offer that pure soul a homage worthy of her merits. God manifested the sanctity of his servant by a multitude of other prodigies; hence all the inhabitants of the country honor her memory every successive year, and offer her through devotion a considerable quantity of wax candles. Catherine to whom I had narrated these circumstances, had the greatest desire to behold and venerate the body of Blessed Agnes; but always obedient, she asked permission of me and of her other Confessor; we granted it and intended following her, to see whether God would not perform some miracle at the approximation of his two chosen Spouses. We arrived after Catherine; she had entered the cloister and approached the body of St. Agnes, with almost all the nuns of the Convent and the Sisters of Penance of St. Dominic who had accompanied her: she knelt at her feet and prostrated to embrace them piously; but the holy body that she intended honoring, unwilling that she should stoop to kiss it, raised its foot, in presence of the whole assembly. At this sight. Catherine much troubled, prostrated profoundly and gradually restored the foot of Agnes to its usual position.
​I call attention here to the following remark: it was not without motive that the Blessed Agnes raised only one foot; she did this on account of the incredulous: had she raised both feet, it might have been believed that her body was capable, by a motion communicated to the superior part of raising the legs without the help of the marvelous; but as only one foot raised, it is evident that divine power acted without regard to natural laws, and that there could not be any illusion.
I have a motive in presenting this remark; for, on the morrow when we arrived in turn at our own monastery, there was much conversation in reference to the miracle that the Spouse of virgins had performed in favor of those holy souls; some nuns who had been witnesses of it, calumniated the work of God, like the Pharisees of old who said: "It is by Beelzebub the prince of the devils that he casteth out demons." (Luke, xi. 15) In consequence, as I had received from the Prior Provincial authority over that monastery, I assembled all the Sisters in conference according to the Rule of the Order, and made a minute examination of this miracle under a precept of holy obedience. All present declared positively that they had seen it perfectly: I therefore called before me one of those who had offered the most opposition and asked her whether the affair had passed as we said: she acknowledged it in the presence of all, but she desired to explain that the intention of Blessed Agnes was not such as we believed it; I replied: "My very dear Sister, we do not interrogate you concerning the intentions of Blessed Agnes; we are well aware that yoa are neither her secretary, nor her confidant; we merely ask you, whether you saw the foot rise all alone." She laid " yes" I imposed a penance on her for the discourses ​in which she had indulged: and this I did for God's glory and the example of others; and I report it here, in order to give a greater proof of the truth.
Some time after, Catherine returned to the convent of the Blessed Agnes, to consecrate two of her nieces, to the service of the Altar. As soon as she arrived, she repaired, as at the first time, to the body of the saintly foundress with her companions and some nuns from the Convent; but she did not place herself at the feet but joyfully approached the head; she designed, by humility we presume, to avoid what had happened, when she attempted to kiss the feet; or perhaps she remembered that Mary Magdalen at first poured her perfumes over the Saviour's feet and afterwards shed them over his head. She placed her face on the ornaments of gold and silk which cover the countenance of Agnes, and there remained a long time: then she turned sweetly to Lysa, the mother of her two nieces, and inquired smiling; "What, do you not observe the present that heaven sends us: do not be ungrateful I" At these words, Lysa and the others lifted their eyes and saw a very fine and very white manna falling like heavenly dews, and covering not only Agnes and Catherine, but also all the persons present, and with such abundance that Lysa filled her hand with it. To comprehend this miracle, it is necessary to know that it was often repeated during the life-time of Agnes, especially when she was in prayer: so that virgins whom she directed, not suspecting a prodigy, and seeing her mantle always white, wishing to shake it off: but she prevented them in order to conceal the heavenly favor.
Blessed Agnes knew that Blessed Catherine would be one day her companion in heaven; she therefore amiably ​desired to share on earth her graces and her favors. The manna in its snowy whiteness and the fineness cf its grain, signified parity and humility; and these two virtues shine in a very particular manner in those two virgins, as may be seen in their Memoirs which God in his mercy has permitted me to write. This miracle had for witnesses Catherine's companions, Lysa among others, who is still living: several nuns belonging to the convent have equally affirmed before me and before the Friars who were with me, that thus the occurrences took place. Many are now dead; but myself and my Brethren recal perfectly their depositions: further, Lysa collected the manna which fell, showed it frequently, and gave it to several persons.
God accomplished also for his faithful Spouse during his life, many admirable things which are not written in this book; what I have related above, I have said for the honor and glory of God's holy Name, for the salvation of souls, and to acquit my conscience; I was unwilling to despise the grace from above, and fold up the talent entrusted to me; I have placed it according to the best of my ability, so that it might be referred to its divine Master.
I here terminate the second part of this biography; the third will contain Catherine's death with the miracles that preceded and followed it. May these three books render immortal praise, honor and glory to the ever biesaed Trinity. Amen.
END OF THE SECOND PART.