Page:Lifeofsaintcatha.djvu/191

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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