Page:Lifeofsaintcatha.djvu/196

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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;