Amalia Zager
Summary: The humiliation of Avignon: St. Catherine of Siena, Letter to Pope Gregory XI included a letter from St. Catherine of Siena to Pope Gregory XI. The letter expressed St. Catherine’s belief that Rome was the “proper thrown” for the pope and she was in opposition to those who were encouraging the pope’s delay to move to Rome. She was determined to see that the pope did, in fact, move to Rome. St. Catherine was a spiritualist and she devoted herself as a servant to the poor. She sent copious letters to bring comfort and reform to a variety of people encouraging them, such as city magistrates, rulers, and the pope.
Analysis: The Avignon Papacy was a large issue the church faced in the latter half of the fourteenths century. St. Catherine of Sienna worked to bring the Avignon Papacy back to Rome, where she believed it rightfully belonged. In 1376, St. Catherine took it upon herself to travel to convince Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome. Catherine used references both from history and also from the bible to convince Gregory in his decision to move to Rome. Catherine believed that the current state of the church was in dismay. She believed that Gregory was being harassed and tempted by evil, in her letter to Gregory she writes: “most holy father, what malice and how much evil are arising because of the devil! These men cite Clement IV, plenty concerned about themselves and what I theirs, but much less concerned about the universal good to which everything else ought to be subordinate (8.14). Not only does she use Clement IV to provide Gregory with a historical example, but she also clearly explained the reasoning behind the motives of Gregory’s enemies. Catherine believed the motives of the enemies were solely to better themselves, over the good of the world. She juxtaposed their position and opinions with her own. Catherine shined supporters of Gregory in a positive, uplifting light, and depicted those who were against him as evil. Catherine also uses God to persuade Gregory to move to Rome: “The blessed God freed you once from their wicket council when they interrupted your journey last year” (8.14). Catherine argues that God has previously given his strength to overcome the obstacles of the evil his enemies have presented and that he can do it again. Catherine was successful in her persuasion because in 1377 Pope Gregory returned to Rome, which ended papal ruling in Avignon.
Summary: The humiliation of Avignon: St. Catherine of Siena, Letter to Pope Gregory XI included a letter from St. Catherine of Siena to Pope Gregory XI. The letter expressed St. Catherine’s belief that Rome was the “proper thrown” for the pope and she was in opposition to those who were encouraging the pope’s delay to move to Rome. She was determined to see that the pope did, in fact, move to Rome. St. Catherine was a spiritualist and she devoted herself as a servant to the poor. She sent copious letters to bring comfort and reform to a variety of people encouraging them, such as city magistrates, rulers, and the pope.
Analysis: The Avignon Papacy was a large issue the church faced in the latter half of the fourteenths century. St. Catherine of Sienna worked to bring the Avignon Papacy back to Rome, where she believed it rightfully belonged. In 1376, St. Catherine took it upon herself to travel to convince Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome. Catherine used references both from history and also from the bible to convince Gregory in his decision to move to Rome. Catherine believed that the current state of the church was in dismay. She believed that Gregory was being harassed and tempted by evil, in her letter to Gregory she writes: “most holy father, what malice and how much evil are arising because of the devil! These men cite Clement IV, plenty concerned about themselves and what I theirs, but much less concerned about the universal good to which everything else ought to be subordinate (8.14). Not only does she use Clement IV to provide Gregory with a historical example, but she also clearly explained the reasoning behind the motives of Gregory’s enemies. Catherine believed the motives of the enemies were solely to better themselves, over the good of the world. She juxtaposed their position and opinions with her own. Catherine shined supporters of Gregory in a positive, uplifting light, and depicted those who were against him as evil. Catherine also uses God to persuade Gregory to move to Rome: “The blessed God freed you once from their wicket council when they interrupted your journey last year” (8.14). Catherine argues that God has previously given his strength to overcome the obstacles of the evil his enemies have presented and that he can do it again. Catherine was successful in her persuasion because in 1377 Pope Gregory returned to Rome, which ended papal ruling in Avignon.