Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Let's try yesterday's conversation again.

LAPA

And what will you do when you get there?

CATHERINE

I will do little. God will speak through me.

LAPA

God will speak to you. Catherine Benincasa will speak and the Pope will listen.

CATHERINE

He will listen to God's will -

LAPA

Say he will, Catherine. I'm not blind. He has before, I know. I know who my daughter is. I know she refers to the Pope as "Papa" and he listens to her admonishment. I know you think that I do not understand, but I know who you are in the Church. I know who you are to the powerful men of Rome, and to the Holy Father. But I know who you are, Catherine. You are the girl who nursed a leper with her own hands when no one else would touch her. You are the girl who nursed and prayed for the soul of that wretched Andrea woman even as she spread those terrible lies about you. You are the reason your brothers and sisters, even when they move out of this house, keep their possessions under lock and key lest you give them away to beggars in the street. And, Catherine, you are the young woman from Siena with great influence on the affairs of the Church. And what are you going to do with that influence? Convince one of the most powerful men in the world to move from one palace to another.

CATHERINE

The head of the Church belongs in Rome.

LAPA

Say he does. I know better than to argue with you about such things. I didn't always, but that lesson at least I have learned. I learned it as all of Siena and half of Italy has learned it. What I'm asking is not where the Pope belongs or whether you have the power to change it. I am asking why you are fighting this fight. Why not fight to restore works of charity amongst the rich and powerful? Why not build a new convent or order dedicated to true service? Why not convince the Holy Father to sell both palaces lock, stock, and barrel to feed the poor?

CATHERINE

The fish rots from the head. Avignon is a place of rot. There are many who can help the poor, raise hospitals. I have done the things you say, though far less than I should. But there are few who can do what I have been called to do. And I don't understand these things better than you, I simply do not question whither God wills to send me.

LAPA

Catherine, this debate, Rome and Avignon...are there not more serious things for the Church to address? Are there not bigger problems in the world?

CATHERINE

There are endless problems, mother. This is one that I believe will help to solve others.

LAPA

I hope you are right, Catherine. I truly do, you know. I know you aren't sure of...

CATHERINE

Have faith, mother. That is all we can do.

LAPA

I'm not so sure, with you.

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Not MAJOR changes, but I think it's better.