Sienna, and some of the Sisters of ray Order find that I journey too frequently, hence they are greatly scandalized, and say that a Religious ought not to be thus ever on the wing. I do not think that these reproaches should give me any trouble, for I have never journeyed in any direction, except by order of God and of his Vicar, and to promote the salvation of souls; but to avoid as far as I can an occasion of scandal to my neighbor, I do not think of removing hence; nevertheless, if the Vicar of Christ wills me to go, his intentions must be accomplished not mine. In that case, be so obliging as to make known his order to that effect by a written document, so that those who are scandalized may know that I do not undertake the journey from my own impulse."
Having received this reply, I went to the Sovereign Pontiff, and humbly communicated it to him. He charged me to bid Catherine come in the name of holy obedience; and Catherine, like a submissive daughter, speedily arrived at Rome with a numerous suite; she would have had many more followers had she not opposed it. Those who accompanied her assumed the livery of poverty, by voluntarily relying on Divine Providence, preferring a mendicant life with the Saint, than abundance in their own houses and the deprivation of her pious and captivating conversations.
The Sovereign Pontiff was most happy to see her, and requested that, in presence of the Cardinals, she would give them an instruction, and that she should especially speak concerning the incipient Schism. She did so, learnedly and at some length, exhorting every one to fortitude and constancy. She showed that Divine Providence watches over all, but in a particular manner over those who suffer with the Church, and concluded there
