throughout the broad universe; thou knowest how few defenders she has, and thou canst not be ignorant how ardently its enemies desire the humiliation and death of thy Year. If that misfortune happen, not only people of Rome, but also all Christians and the Holy Church will suffer deeply from it. Therefore let thine anger be appeased, and despise not thy people for whom you have paid so heavy a ransom."
This contest with God endured several days and night« and her feeble body had much to endure. God opposed his justice to her prayers, and the demons continued their vociferations against her. Her fervor was then so great that if God, to use an expression familiar with her, had not encircled her members, she must have sunk back, weighed down upon herself. But at length, in this obstinate combat in which her body was perishing through protracted sufferings, Catherine triumphed and obtained her petition. When God alleged his justice, she replied; "Lord because thy justice must be satisfied, despise not I entreat thee the prayers of thy servant; inflict the chastisement that this people merit on my body: yes, for the honor of thy Name and that of thy holy Church, I will cheerfully drain that chalice of suffering and death; thy Truth knows, that I have ever ardently desired it, and that thy grace has continually inflamed my soul with that desire." At these words which she pronounced in the intensity of her heart, the interior voice of God was no longer heard and she understood by this divine silence that her prayer had prevailed. In effect from that moment, the popular sedition gradually calmed and at last was completely appeased; but the Blessed like a pure victim supported its expiation. The powers of hell had permission to torment her virginal body, and exert their
