Saturday, March 17, 2012

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

So, I have been floundering around trying to figure out what the structure of the play all these monologues will contribute to will be, and I have an idea that I think could, finally, really work.

One of the very nice things about this Lenten work this year is that it seems like every week at Mass (I attended this evening because it's better for Dan and Amanda's schedules), God sends me a new inspiration. It's so wonderful to have my creative work and my devotional activity so linked!

The idea grew out of an observation: that when I think of a male prophet, what comes to mind is "a voice crying out in the wilderness." But, if there's anything that I think the women I've written about, especially the New Testament ones, have that separates them it's that women prophets are "a voice crying out in the center of town." In fact, I think I'll make that the running theme of Mary Magdalene's speeches when I get to them. I initially thought that all I had found were the theme for Mary Mag and a better possible title than any I had thought up yet - although A Voice Crying Out In The Center of Town is a bit long for a play title.

Somehow that thought brought me to the idea, what about A Voice Crying Out in Avignon? Or even A Voice Crying Out in the Palace of Avignon? Although, of course, that's even longer. The moment I thought of it, I seized on it. I adore St. Catherine of Siena, and what could be more empowering that what she did, marching into the decadent papal palace and convincing the pope to leave it all behind and return to his rightful place in Rome? And there were all kinds of things that happened, so the play would have a proper plot (my favorite is the story of the women who poked her with pins when she was in a trance to try and prove her a fraud).

And I can see how beautifully the ones I have (and know I want to do) would fit: Elizabeth would be accompanied by a reminiscence about her parents and them having to deal with her AND give her her chief argument when discussing it with the Pope (which is what I'm going to write up below), then Joanna comments on relying on the power of God and her Salome silencing stuff can comment upon the women of loose morals working against her in the court, Delilah can offer her perspective on how a person not of the faith views her fanatical devotion and how to win someone over with it, Ruth and Naomi can help give her arguments in favor of traditions and ceremonies being important but people at the soul of them and trusting in God's will.

Also, then I would get to write Catherine of Siena! My namesake!

I need to get a good biography on her. I wonder if there are any that focus on her time in Avignon? I imagine most hover around her writings.

Anyway, here's an exchange that popped into my head almost fully-formed today. [Note: the first line is a bit rough]

CATHERINE

You cannot preside over the faithful from a palace of decadence and sin.

POPE GREGORY XI

Tell me, Catherine, have you ever seen the Vatican?

CATHERINE

Many times.

POPE GREGORY XI

And yet you can tell me with a straight face that it is not a palace of decadence? Can you even tell me with a straight face that it is not a palace of sin?

CATHERINE

The Papal Palace of Rome is a grand place and a seat of power, which attracts those whose motives are far from pure. But it was built on the site of the martyrdom of St. Peter, the first head of the Church. It was built on his authority and his love of God and his fortitude of faith. Whatever it has become, whatever has been layered onto it, its foundation is firm to the ending of the world for that. But this palace was built on politics and pride, on earthly wealth and empty display. You can never hope to be a beacon of hope and holiness to the people from a place that is built on everything that the Church is meant to be -

POPE GREGORY XI

Above?

CATHERINE

Beyond. Those who give their life to the Church are meant to be beyond worldly cares, beyond the power of earthly squabbles for power and beyond the influence of the pleasures of the flesh. The head of the Church is meant to be beyond all but the most spiritual of joys.

POPE GREGORY XI

Beyond such petty concerns as where he lays his head?

CATHERINE

You cannot be so in such a place. A place built on the foundations of decadence and sin can never be anything but a temple worshipping it. Beware, Your Holiness, for our Lord warned long ago, that a man cannot be the servant of two masters. You cannot serve him while you worship in the temple of Satan.