Not understanding the reasons for all their misfortunes, the people of the 14th century think they recognize the work of the devil, lying in wait everywhere, and wanting to drag the majority of them to hell. So they begin to condemn people as sorcerers and sorceresses, and consider them friends of Satan. And they even look on these catastrophes as punishment for the people's sins.

PENANCE
This explains some penitential practices that seem excessive to us today: they wear clothes of horsehair or belts with nails; they flog themselves, with the hope that this suffering will appease divine anger. They seek indulgences that they try to gain particularly by long pilgrimages, especially in the years of the great Jubilee (1350, 1400)

FERVOR
Overwhelmed, these people welcome as a savior anyone who brings comfort. For cures, it's Rocco, among others. For words of enlightenment, it's the success of a preacher like Saint Vincent Ferrer, or a teacher of the faith like Catherine of Sienna. All of them attract crowds who hope deep down for an unattainable happiness. Their struggle to survive enlivens their fervor.

COMPASSION
Since the piety of the 14th century is somewhat naive, it doesn't stop with external actions: the Christians know that Christ suffered for them, and that, in a certain sense, He is still suffering with them. A great love for this willing companion of their misery and His mother, springs up. And compassion for the sufferings of Jesus and Mary is going to take on great importance. In the 14th century, Jacopone de Todi writes the Stabat Mater. Soon after, the "Mysteries of the Passion" are created and performed in the open space in front of the cathedrals.

GENEROSITY
This compassion for God is expressed in compassion for others. Surely, it's not a time when they criticize the reasons for the indulgence or sickness. But Christians are not lacking in generosity. Many of them, like John Roch and Lady Libere, distribute alms generously. Besides, hospitals are numerous and don't lack personnel. So the faith of Christians of this period, strongly marked by fear and distress, is more attentive to the Passion than to the Resurrection, more consoling than dynamic....