Catherine withdrew as usual to her apartment; we had not spoken of her, but the very stones appeared to announce her arrival. First women, and then men, came to our residence and asked where was the saint who returned from the Pontifical Court. The hostler having told them, it became impossible to hinder the crowd, and we were obliged to admit the women. One of them brought an infant whose body was so swollen that it excited pity in the beholders, and some persons present asked Catherine to be so obliging as to hold the infant a moment in her arms. Catherine refused, because she desired to shun the admiration of men; but in fine, overcome by compassion, she consented to what was demanded with such lively faith. Hardly was the babe placed in her virginal hands, than the swelling disappeared, and the little invalid was completely restored. I was not present when this miracle was performed; but it was so evident and so well certified, that the Bishop of the City sent for me, and when relating it, informed me that the child was the nephew of his vicar: he requested me to obtain for him an interview with Catherine.
Our Lord Jesus Christ produced many other miraculous cures, by the intervention of the blessed Catherine: it would be impossible for me to recount them all in one book, but I have recounted some, which will suffice to prove how Jesus, the Son of God and of Mary, acted in her. The deliverance of those that were tormented with devils naturally refers to the healings of the body: but as this chapter is sufficiently lengthy, and as Catherine enjoyed a special grace for those unfortunate souls, I will treat this subject separately.
