Avignon France - Papal Palace and Miracle of Eucharist
Avignon France is the home of the Papal Palace and the Miracle of the Eucharist of Avignon.
Saint Catherine of Siena was responsible for the return of the Pope from Avignon to Rome.
A few days later, when talking together, the subject of the Will of the Lord, whether to remain in Avignon France or to go to Rome, came up again. Catherine replied, “Who knows what ought to be done better than your Holiness, who has long since made a vow to God to return to Rome?”
Pope Gregory knew it had to be the Lord who told Catherine to say this, because no one knew of this vow outside of himself and the Lord. There was the sign! He would act!
The Pope traveled secretly by boat to Genoa.
Until the very last moment, the forces of hell were trying to dissuade him; even his aged father threw himself across the threshold, begging him not to leave. Upon arriving there, what was waiting for him, but news his life was in danger and he best return to Avignon. Catherine, who had traveled by land, was in Genoa waiting for him. He didn’t want her to come to his hiding place, afraid she would be followed.
At the same time, he was afraid to go to her. Finally, summoning all his courage, the Pope, dressed as a humble Priest, went to Catherine. Praying together with his Holiness, she said this prayer,
“O Eternal God, permit not that thy Vicar should yield to the counsels of the flesh, nor judge according to the senses and self-love, nor that he suffer himself to be terrified by any opposition. O Immortal Love! If Thou art offended by his hesitations and delays, punish them on my body which I offer to Thee to be tormented and destroyed according to Thy Will and Pleasure.”
This was the last meeting between Catherine and her Pope, but the love and friendship between them, never died. Their correspondence continued until he drew his last breath.