Catherine's Training for Avignon
So, I have been reading my Catherine of Siena biography again, and it gave me an idea for a conversation between Catherine and one of the women in Avignon. It might make a good transition into Joanna talking about silencing others versus encouraging others to speak. Or perhaps not. I'll work that out later.
Also, I've picked the name "Marie" for one of the women in the Court of Avignon totally at random. I'd like to replace this eventually with the name of an actual woman who was there, but we'll see how that goes.
MARIE
Miss - Miss Benincasa? Sister Catherine? [Catherine turns] [Pause] I...I wanted to say - I wanted to apologize, Lady. I - we poked you with our dress pins. [holding a long, sharp-looking one up]. It wasn't my idea but I let them. I even took a turn. We all came up behind you when you were praying and, well, we tried to startle you out of it. I'm so sorry, Lady. We thought you were a charlatan.
CATHERINE
You sought to separate me from my God. But I forgive you. I have forgiven those far more dear to me, and those who should know better, for startling me from my visions.
MARIE
Again, I am so sorry, Lady.
CATHERINE
My first vision was when I was a child. I saw the Lord on His throne, accompanied by St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. John the Evangelist. My brother Stefano saw only that I was falling behind in a footrace and returned for me. He shook me from my vision, and to this day, I wish I had never looked away. In the years to come, before my family accepted my vocation, many times they tried to prevent me from having the time to pray in solitude, without disturbances. I often wondered why, why He decreed that it would be so hard for me to stay with Him in these visions He chose to grant me.
MARIE
He was preparing you for us. He knew - oh, He did it so we wouldn't be able to - I'm so sorry, Lady!
[Marie starts to flee]
CATHERINE
Marie! Please don't -
[Marie exits]
I never thought of that. [Looking up at God] You're good, You know that?
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