The Catholic Monitor

One of the greatest saints, St. Catherine of Sienna, gave the following advice to those who seek the reformation of the Church. She said: "I shall recognize whether we have truly conceived love for the reform of holy Church, because if this is indeed the case, you will follow the will of God." (Letters, December 1378) She said we do this by praying for the grace of loving God above everything including ourselves and loving our neighbor as ourselves wishing their salvation. If you are fearful because of the crisis and darkness in the Church, remember that Jesus, the saints and angels are in this battle with you. I know St. Catherine is praying for us to have light and peace who are seeking the reformation of the Church. She is praying for us as she prayed for Niccolo in his darkness and fear: "I waited for him at the place of execution, and as I waited, I kept praying in the presence of Mary and Catherine, virgin and martyr. Before he arrived, I lay down ...

Sigrid Undset's biography "Catherine of Sienna," Undset reports that when the Pope asked her if it was God's will that he return to Rome: "Catherine replied: 'Who knows God's will so well as your Holiness, for have you not bound yourself by a vow---' Greatly shaken, Gregory stared at the young woman. He had made a vow that he would return to to Rome if he were chosen to be Pope--- it was while he was still cardinal. But he had not told a living soul. From that moment he knew he would leave Avignon ." (Page 210) Undset's biography shows the saint knew that her getting the Pope to leave Avignon would bring about a schism: " Catherine replied... 'When the Pope really begins to reform the morals of the clergy they will rebel and split the Church.' No, there would be no new heresy, there would be schism . And she said to Raimondo and his friends that they would live to see this horror." (Page 194-195)  "Cat...