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?
