This arrangement lasted a considerable time when by a just, but incomprehensible judgment of God, one of the daughters of Ser. Michel, called Laurencia, aged about eight years, became possessed by the devil; the foe of salvation tormented her cruelly and troubled the peace of the entire monastery. The Nuns being unable to retain the child longer, obliged Ser. Michel to resume his charge. When she had retired from the Convent the devil ceased not to manifest his presence in an extraordinary manner. He spoke Latin by her mouth, although she had no idea of that tongue; he answered the most difficult questions, and manifested the sins and secrets of a great number of persons; in fine, it was evident to everyone that God permitted the devil, for a motive concealed from man, to torment this poor little innocent. Her parents were in the deepest distress and sought every method of relieving her; they brought her to visit the relics of saints whose merits could put the devil to flight. They had above all confidence in the intercession of the blessed Ambrose of the Order of Preaching Friars, whom God has glorified during more than a century by a great number of miracles, and who is endued with a special power for chasing out malignant spirits; his cope or his scapular which are still preserved, have often sufficed for delivering the possessed when clothed in them; I have myself witnessed this effect on several occasions. The parents of little Laurencia led her to the church of the Preaching Friars, placed her on the tomb of Blessed Ambrose, covered her with his habit or sacerdotal ornaments, and fervently Implored God for her deliverance, but they were not heard: this possession was undoubtedly not to punish the child who had not sinned, nor her parents who had always led an exemplary life;
Page:Lifeofsaintcatha.djvu/199
This page needs to be proofread.