The Revelations of Saint Gertrude

Book 3
Compiled by the Religious of Her Monastery.

Chapter 1
Our Lord Gives his Blessed Mother to St. Gertrude to be her mother.

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St. Gertrude, having learned by Divine revelation that she was about to endure some trial for the increase of her merit, began to fear through human weakness; but the Lord had compassion on her infirmity, and gave her His most merciful Mother, the Empress of Heaven, for her mother and for her dispenser, so that, when the burden of her grief appeared beyond her strength, she might always have recourse to this Mother of mercy, and by her intervention obtain relief. Some time after, as she was much grieved because a devout person obliged her to reveal the singular favors with which God had honored her on the preceding feast, she had recourse to the Mother of the afflicted, in order to learn from Her what she ought to do on this occasion: Give freely what you possess, She replied; for My Son is rich enough to repay all that you expend for His glory. But as the Saint desired to conceal as much as possible the great favors granted to her, even while she partly revealed them, she desired to know from her heavenly Spouse how far her conduct was agreeable to Him. Prostrating herself at His feet, she implored Him to make known His Will to her, and to give her the desire of accomplishing it. Her confidence merited for her this reply, which she received from the Divine Mercy: Give My money to the bank, that when I come I may receive it with usury. (CF. Luke 19:23).And thus she learned that the reasons which she had considered good, and even inspired by the Spirit of God, were merely human, so that from henceforth she imparted more freely what was revealed to her, and not without reason; for Solomon has declared: "It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech" (Prov. 25:2).

Chapter 2. Adversity is the spiritual ring with which the soul is betrothed to God.

As Gertrude offered to God in her prayers all that she suffered in body and mind, and all the pleasures of which she had deprived herself, whether in the flesh or the spirit, Our Lord appeared to her, and showed her the pleasures and the pains which she had offered to Him under the form of two rings, enriched with precious stones, which He wore to adorn His hands. The Saint, perceiving this, repeated the offering frequently; and when she suffered a corporal affliction some time afterwards, she beheld Jesus her Lord touch her left eye with the ring which He carried in His left hand, and which represented corporal afflictions and sufferings; and from this moment she felt extreme suffering in this eye, which she had beheld Our Lord touch in Spirit, and this pain was never entirely removed.

She knew from this that, as the ring is a sign of espousal, so also sufferings in body or mind are testimonies of the spiritual espousal of the soul with God; so that whoever suffers may say confidently, with all truth: "My Lord Jesus Christ has espoused me to Him with His ring"; and if he recognizes in those afflictions the graces which he as received, and returns thanks, he may add: "He has adorned me with a crown as His spouse", because thanksgiving in tribulation is a crown of glory more brilliant than gold, and incomparably more precious than topaz.

Chapter 3. Human consolation weakens that which is Divine.

Gertrude received another plain testimony, although she did not understand it very well at first, that contradictions and privation of consolation in suffering greatly increase merit. On a certain day, about the Feast of Pentecost, as she suffered such severe pain in her side that those who were present feared her last hour had arrived, her Beloved, the true Consoler of her soul, retired from her, and this increased her suffering, although the cares and attentions of those who surrounded her were redoubled; whereas, when she was less carefully attended, this loving Lord remained near her, to solace the severity of her pain by His presence, thus making her understand, that when we are deprived of human consolation, the Divine Mercy regards us most favorably.

Towards evening, as the Saint was worn out by acute suffering, she sought to obtain some mitigation of it from Our Lord, but He raised His right arm, and showed her the pain she had endured all day as a precious ornament on His bosom. As this ornament appeared so perfect and so complete in every part, she rejoiced, hoping that her suffering would now cease; but Our Lord replied: What you suffer after this will add brightness to this ornament. And certainly, although it was garnished with precious stones, the gold appeared dark and dull. What she suffered afterwards was not so grievous in itself, but she was more tried by being deprived of consolation, than by the acuteness of the pain.

Chapter 4. How vile and despicable are all transitory pleasures.

About the Feast of St. Bartholomew, Gertrude felt herself overwhelmed with an exceeding sadness and a temptation to impatience. This caused such darkness in her soul that she appeared insensible to all the pleasures which the presence of God imparted to her, and light was not restored to her until the following Saturday through the intercession of the Mother of God, when they sang in Her honor the Antiphon which commences "Mary, Star of the sea." The following day, as she rejoiced inwardly at the sweetness and the tenderness with which God treated her, she began to reflect in her late impatience and her other faults; then, feeling exceedingly displeased with herself, she prayed to God for her amendment, but with such discouragement, that, beholding the enormity and the multitude of her faults, she cried out in despair: "God of mercy, set abounds to my malice, since I place neither end nor measure to it! Deliver me, O Lord, and set me beside thee, and let any man's hand fight against me" (Job 17:3).

Our Lord, compassionating her extreme affliction, showed her a small narrow garden, filled with many beautiful flowers, but surrounded with thorns, through which a little stream of honey flowed. He said to her: Would you prefer the pleasure which you might enjoy here to Me? She replied: " Assuredly not, O Lord my God". Then He showed her another little garden, filled with mire and dirt, but covered with some verdure, and containing a few common flowers. Being asked likewise if she would prefer this, she turned away from it to show her aversion, and exclaimed "May I never prefer the fearful illusion of an apparent good, which conceals a real evil, to Him who is the only sovereign, true, unchangeable, and eternal Good!" Our Lord replied: Why then do you mistrust, as one deprived of charity, since the favors with which I overwhelm you are a proof that you possess it? And why do you speak despairingly because of your sins, since Scripture testifies that charity covers a multitude of sins, when you do not prefer your will to Mine, although by following it you might live without trouble, and in honor, in the esteem of men, and with a reputation for sanctity? I have represented this self- will to you under the figure of a garden filled with flowers, and the pleasures of a sensual life by the verdure which covered the mire". She relied: "Oh, would to God a thousand times that, by the contempt of the garden of flowers, which Thou hast shown me, I may have altogether renounced my own will, but I fear the insignificance of the place disposed me to do so more easily!" It is thus, Our Lord replied, that, in guiding the consciences of My elect, I only let them see temporal advantages to a small extent, in order to avoid exposing their weakness to great temptation, and to inspire them more easily with contempt for the false pleasures of earth.

Then Gertrude renounced entirely all the pleasures of Heaven and earth, and cast herself with such constancy and fervor into the bosom of her Beloved, that she believed no creature would now be able to remove her for a single moment from His arms, where she tasted with joy that life giving draught which flowed from the wounded Side of her Lord, and whose sweetness infinitely surpassed that of the most precious balm.

Chapter 5. The perfect resignation of St. Gertrude into the hands of God in all adversities, and what merit she acquired thereby.

On the Feast of the Apostle St. Matthew, Our Lord having prevented her by the sweetness of His frequent benedictions, she offered the chalice in thanksgiving at the Elevation; and having reflected that her oblation would be of little value if she did not willingly offer to bear all kinds of suffering for the love of Christ, she rose, in the fervor of her zeal, from the bosom of her Spouse, in which was all her delight, and threw herself on the ground as a vile carcass, exclaiming: I offer myself to Thee O Lord, to endure all that may promote Thy glory." Then the Lord hastened quickly to her, and placed Himself on the ground beside her, as if to support her, saying: This is Mine. "Yes", exclaimed the Saint, turning toward God, and animated with fresh courage; "I belong to Thee - I am the work of Thy hands". It is true, replied Our Lord; but this grace is singularly yours, that I am so closely united to thee by love, that I would not willingly enjoy beatitude without thee.

Being amazed at the exceeding condescension of these words, she exclaimed: Why dost Thou speak thus to me, O Lord, since Thou hast such an infinite number of friends in Heaven and on earth, with whom Thou couldst share Thy happiness, even had I never been created?" Our Lord replied: He who has always wanted a limb does not feel the same privation as one who loses it in advanced years; in like manner, I have so placed My love in thee, that I could not bear that we should be separated from each other.

Chapter 6. The co-operation of the faithful soul at the Holy Sacrifice. Five favours on which the Saint was desired to meditate, when unable to assist at it.

On the Feast of St. Maurice, as the celebrant pronounced the secret words of Consecration, St. Gertrude said to Our Lord: "Lord, the mystery which Thou dost now operate is so tremendous and so great, that I scarcely dare to breathe or speak; it is enough for me to hide myself in the deepest valley of humility which I can find, expecting my share in the salvation which Thou dost there impart to Thine elect". Our Lord replied: When a mother wishes to do some work with pearls and precious stones, she sometimes places her child in an elevated place to hold her thread or her pearls, or to do some other service; so I have placed you in an eminent position to dispose of the merits of this Mass; and if you elevate your will even to desire willingly to suffer all kinds of labor and pain, in order that this sacrifice, which is so salutary for all Christians, whether living or dead, may be fully accomplished in all its excellence, you will then have contributed, according to the extent of your ability, to the accomplishment of My work.

Once, when the Saint was confined to bed, and unable to assist at Mass, at which she had hoped to have communicated, she said to God with a troubled spirit: "To what must I attribute my hindrance from assisting today at the Holy Mysteries, if not to Thy Providence, my Beloved? - and how shall I prepare myself to receive the Communion of Thy adorable Body and Blood, since my intention at Mass always seemed to me my best preparation?" Since you attribute the cause to Me, replied Our Lord, to console you, I will make you hear the songs of joy with which Heaven resounds when I espouse a soul.

Hear, then, from Me, that my Blood is your redemption; meditate on those three and thirty years during which I labored for you in exile, and sought only to ally Myself with you; and let this serve for the first part of Mass

Hear Me telling you how I have dowered you with the riches of My Spirit, and that even as I endured so much bodily labor during the three and thirty years in which I sought you, so also My soul feels an ineffable joy at the union and spiritual marriage which we have contracted; and let this be your consolation during the second part of Mass.

Listen then to Me, while I tell you how you are replenished with My Divinity, which has the power to make you taste the purest delights and the most ravishing sweetness inwardly, whilst exteriorly you are suffering the severest pain. This will serve for the third part of the Mass.

Hear, further, how you are sanctified by My love; know that you have nothing of yourself, and that all which renders you agreeable to Me comes from Me. Occupy yourself with these thoughts during the fourth part of Mass.

Lastly, hear that you have been united to Me in the sublimest manner; and know that, as all power has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth, I cannot be hindered from exalting you, as a king exalts his queen to his throne, and consequently renders her an object of respect. Rejoice, then in reflecting on these things, and do not complain again that you have been deprived of hearing Mass.

Chapter 7. With what confidence we should have recourse to God in all our needs and temptations.

As Gertrude prepared herself for Communion on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, she found herself distracted by a crowd of importunate thoughts; and having implored the Divine assistance, Our Lord, in His exceeding mercy, spoke thus to her; If anyone, when encompassed by temptation, throws himself on My protection with a firm hope, he is of the number of those whom I can say: 'One is My dove, chosen amongst a thousand; he has pierced My Divine Heart with one glance of His eye; so that if I thought I could not assist him, my Heart would be so desolate that even all the joys of Heaven could not alleviate my grief, because he is a part of My Body, and is united to My Divinity; and I am ever the advocate of My elect, full of compassion for their every need.

"Lord", replied St. Gertrude, "how is it that Thy immaculate Body, in which Thou never hadst any contradiction, enables Thee to compassionate our many weaknesses?" He replied You may easily convince yourself of this. Has not My Apostle said: 'It behooved Him in all things to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be able to succor them also that are tempted?' He added: This eye of My beloved, which pierces My Heart, is the confidence which she ought to have in Me that I know, that I am able, and that I am willing to assist her faithfully in all her miseries; and this confidence has such power over My goodness, that it is not possible for Me to abandon her. "But, Lord," replied the Saint, "since confidence is so great a gift that none can have it unless Thou dost bestow it, what merit have those who are deprived of it?" He replied: Each can at least overcome his diffidence, in some degree, by the testimony of Scripture, and say, if not with his whole heart, at least with his lips: 'If I should be cast into hell, Thou, O Lord, wilt deliver me' , and again, 'Although he should kill me, I will trust in Him'.

Chapter 8. Of the efficacy of prayers for others.

God having revealed to a certain person that He willed to deliver a great number of souls from Purgatory, through the prayers of the community, a general prayer was enjoined for all the religious. As St Gertrude prayed one Sunday in the manner prescribed, she pleaded most fervently with God for the deliverance of these souls, and being rapt in spirit, she beheld the Lord, like a king in the midst of His glory, occupied in distributing rewards and gifts; not being able to discern exactly why He was thus so greatly occupied, she said to Him: "Most loving Lord, since you made known to me last year, on the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen, notwithstanding my unworthiness, that Thine own goodness had obliged Thee to grant mercy to those who approached Thy sacred Feet, since so many persons prostrated themselves before Thee on this day, to imitate the blessed sinner, Thy faithful lover, do me the further grace to discover to the eyes of my soul the meaning of Thy present employment, which I do not understand".

Our Lord replied: I am distributing gifts. The Saint knew by these words that God was applying the prayers of the community to the souls, whom, however, she was not permitted to see, although they were present. Then He added: Will you not offer Me your merits to increase My gifts? At these words she was deeply moved: and not knowing that the community was then occupied in the same way, she was filled with gratitude, believing that something special was required of her, and replied joyfully: "Yes, Lord; I offer Thee not only my merits, which are worth nothing, but I offer Thee all the good done by my community, which I attribute entirely to the union which I have, by Thy grace, with my sisters; and I offer it to Thee of my free will, and most gladly, for the honor of Thy majesty and Thine infinite perfections." And the Lord graciously accepted her offering.

Then Our Lord appeared as if disengaged, and, covering Himself and Gertrude with a light cloud, He inclined lovingly toward her, and said: Listen to Me only, and taste the sweetness of My grace. She replied: "My God and my Beloved, why hast Thou deprived me the favor Thou hast bestowed on another, of revealing to her with so much clearness the mercy which Thou didst desire to exercise towards those souls, since Thou hast discovered to me so many secrets? He replied: Reflect frequently that My graces usually serve to humble you, because you believe yourself unworthy of them, and that you believe that they are only given to you as a servant who is engaged for daily labor, and as if you could not be faithful to Me without this reward; and hence you prefer others who serve Me faithfully without these favors. And I have willed to render you like them in this, so that while you did not know more than others of the mercy which I desired to exercise towards those souls, you labored for them with equal zeal; therefore you are not deprived of an advantage you value so much for others.

At these words she was exceedingly moved, marveling at the amazing and ineffable condescension of the Divine goodness toward her, in pouring forth on her such abundant favors; and, when giving less, acting thus to preserve that humility which is the foundation of all graces. She learned then how God arranges, for the good of those whom He loves, the bestowal or the refusal of His favors; and being ravished out of herself in an excess of adoration and gratitude for the infinite goodness of God toward her, she cast herself, fainting away in utter self-annihilation, into the arms of her Lord, saying to Him; "My God, my weakness is unable to bear the excess of Thy mercy". Then the Lord moderated in her a little the overwhelming power of this great thought, and, as she recovered her strength, she said to Him: "Since Thy inexplicable and incomprehensible wisdom wills that I should be deprived of this gift, I will desire it no longer. But, my God, wilt Thou not hear my prayers for my friends?" Then Our Lord confirmed His words as with an oath, replying: I will, by My Divine power. The Saint replied: "Hear, then, my petition for the persons so often recommended to my prayers." And immediately she beheld a stream, pure as crystal, flowing forth from the Heart of the Lord into the person for whom she prayed. She then asked: "Lord, what will this person gain by this, since she does not see it flowing into her?" He replied: When a physician gives a draught to a sick person, those who are present do not see him recover his health the moment he takes the remedy, nor does the sick man himself feel cured; nevertheless, the physician knows well the value of the remedy, and how salutary it will prove to the patient. "But why, Lord, dost Thou not deliver her from the ill-regulated habits and the other defects from which I have implored Thee so many times to deliver her?" He replied: It is said of Me, when I was in my Childhood, that I advanced in wisdom, and in age, and in grace with God and man'. So will this person advance from hour to hour changing her faults into virtues; and I will deliver her from all the infirmities of nature, so that after this she may possess the blessedness which I have prepared for man, whom I have exalted above the Angels.

At the hour at which the Saint was to communicate was now near, she prayed God to show mercy to as many sinners as would be saved (for she dared not to pray for the reprobate) as He had that day delivered souls from Purgatory by the merit of the prayers which had been offered. But Our Lord reproved her timidity, saying: Is not the offering of My spotless Body and My precious Blood sufficient merit to recall even those who walk in the ways of perdition to a better life? Then Gertrude, reflecting on the infinite goodness testified by these words, exclaimed: "Since Thine ineffable charity will condescend to my unworthy prayers, I beseech Thee to deliver as many persons who live in sin and are in peril thereby as Thou hast delivered souls in Purgatory, without preferring those who are my friends either by consanguinity or proximity". Our Lord accepted this petition graciously and certified its acceptance to her. "I would know further, O Lord," she continued, "what I shall add to these prayers to make them yet more efficacious?" Then, as she received no answer, she continued: "Lord. I fear that my unfaithfulness does not merit a reply to this question because Thou, who seest the hearts of all, knowest that I will not comply with Thy command." Then Our Lord, turning towards her with a countenance full of sweetness, replied: Confidence alone can easily obtain all things, but if your devotion urges you to add anything further, say the Psalm Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes three hundred and sixty-five times, in order to supply for those praises which men fail in offering Me.

Chapter 9. Of the admirable effects of Communion, and that we should not lightly abstain from It, even for our unworthiness.

On the Feast of St. Matthias Gertrude resolved, for many reasons, to abstain from Holy Communion. But as her mind was occupied with God and herself during the first Mass, Our Lord presented Himself to her, with such marks of affection as a friend might manifest to his friend. Nevertheless, as the Saint was accustomed to such favors, she desired yet more, and wished to pass entirely into her Beloved, so that she might be wholly united to Him and consumed in the fire of His love. But as she could not obtain this, she began to occupy herself with the Divine praises, which was one of her ordinary exercises. First, she glorified the goodness and mercy of the ever- adorable Trinity for all the graces which had flowed forth from its deep abyss for the salvation of all the elect; secondly, she returned thanks for all the favors which had been bestowed on the august Mother of God; thirdly, for all the graces infused into the sacred Humanity of Jesus Christ; imploring all the Saints in general, and each in particular, to offer individually in sacrifice to the effulgent and ever- peaceful Trinity, in satisfaction for her negligence, all the dispositions and zeal with which they were adorned on the day of their elevation into glory, and the consummation of their perfection, and of their eternal reward. For this intention she said the Psalm Laudate Dominum thrice: first, in honor of all the Saints; secondly in honor of the Blessed Virgin; and thirdly, in honor of the Son of God.

Our Lord then said to her: How will you recompense My Saints, who have made such offerings to Me for you, since you intend to omit your usual offering of thanks-giving for them? The Saint did not reply. At the oblation of the Host she desired greatly to know what offering of eternal praise she could make to God the Father. If you prepare yourself to approach the life giving Sacrament of My Body and Blood today, said Our Lord, you will obtain this triple favor which you have desired during Mass - namely, to enjoy the sweetness of My love, and to become united to Me by the power of My Divinity, even as gold is united to silver, and thus will possess a precious amalgam, which will be worthy to offer to the eternal praise of God the Father, and acquit yourself of the gratitude which you owe all the Saints.

These words kindled in her so ardent a desire for Communion, that even if she had to force her way to it across drawn swords, it would have appeared little to her. Afterwards, when she had received the Body of the Lord, as she made her thanksgiving, this Lover of men spoke thus to her: You have resolved of your own will to serve Me today with others by brick, straw and stubble, but I have chosen to place you amongst those who are replenished with the delights of My royal table.

On the same day another person abstained from Communion without any reasonable cause. She said to her Lord: "Most merciful God, why have you permitted her to be thus tempted?" What can I do for her, He replied: Since she has herself so covered her eyes with the veil of her unworthiness that she cannot possibly see the tenderness of My paternal Heart?

Chapter 10. The indulgence which our Lord granted to St. Gertrude. Her ardent desire to be conformed in all things to the will of God.

As the Saint learned that an indulgence of many years was published on condition of the usual offerings, she said, with her whole heart: "Lord, if I were rich I would willingly give a large sum of gold and silver, that by this means I might be absolved by these indulgences for the praise and glory of Thy name." To this the Lord replied lovingly, saying: I grant you, by My authority, a full remission of all your sins and negligences" and at the same moment she saw her soul without a spot, and as white as snow.

But sometime after, entering into herself and finding her soul still adorned with the same purity, she feared what she had seen before had been an illusion, as it seemed impossible that it had not been in some degree tarnished by the negligences and faults into which her weakness caused her to fall so often. But the Lord consoled her affliction by these words: Dost thou think that I possess less power than I have bestowed on my creatures? If I have given to the material sun such virtue that if a discolored garment is exposed to its rays it will recover its former whiteness, and even become brighter than before, how much more can I, who am the Creator of the sun, by directing My looks upon a sinner, remove all his stains, purifying him, by the fire of My love, from every spot?

On another occasion she was so discouraged by her unworthiness and weakness, that she seemed to have no power to praise God, nor to taste the sweetness of contemplation. But the Lord, by a pure effect of His mercy, so restored her courage, by communicating to her the most holy conversation of Jesus Christ, that all her desires were satisfied, and she seemed to be presented to the King of kings, her Spouse, with the same beauty as Esther was presented to Assuerus. As she appeared so adorned, the Savior, in loving condescension, addressed her thus: What dost thou desire, O queen? "I beseech and implore Thee, O Lord," she replied, "with all my heart, that Thy adorable and Divine Will may be accomplished in me, according to Thy good pleasure." Our Lord then named different persons who had recommended themselves to her prayers, and asked what she desired for each individually. "Lord, " she replied, "I ask that Thy most peaceful Will may be perfectly accomplished in them". Our Lord inquired further: And what do you desire that I should do for you? "I have no other joy", she answered, "than to desire that Thy amiable and peaceful Will may always be accomplished in me, and in all creatures; and I am ready, for this end, to offer every member of my body to be exposed, one after the other, to the acutest suffering". God, who had granted her the grace to speak these words, rewarded her for them afterwards, saying to her: Since you have desired with such ardor to see the designs of My Will executed, I will reward you with this recompense, that you shall appear as agreeable in my eyes as if you had never violated My Will, even in the most trifling matter.

Chapter 11. How the soul may seek God, and transfigure itself into Him, in four ways.

While the Antiphon In lectulo meo was chanted, in which the words quem diligit anima mea are repeated four times, she reflected on four different manners in which the faithful soul may seek God.

By the first words: "By night I sought Him who my soul loveth," she understood the first way of seeking God, by the praises and blessings which are offered to Him on the sacred court of contemplation. Hence the words, "I sought Him, and found Him not," follow immediately, because while the soul is imprisoned in the flesh she cannot praise God perfectly.

She understood the second manner of seeking God in the words, "I will rise, and will go out about the city: in the streets and the broad ways I will seek Him whom my soul loveth"; because the various thanksgivings which the soul renders to God for all the gifts with which He enriches His creatures are expressed by the words, "the streets and broadways". And as we cannot praise God in this world as He should be praised for all His gifts, the words "I sought Him, and found Him not", are added.

By these words, "The watchmen found me" she understood the justice and mercy of God, which cause the soul to enter into herself, and then to compare her unworthiness with the benefits which she has received from God; so that she begins by her grief and repentance for her faults to seek His mercy, saying: "Have you seen Him whom my soul loveth?" And thus, as she has no faith in her own merits, she turns with humble confidence to the Divine Mercy, and by the fervor of her prayers, and the inspiration of grace, she at last finds Him whom the faithful soul seeks.

This Antiphon being concluded, she felt her heart deeply moved by all the sweetness with which the Divine Mercy had filled it during this time, and with many other graces which it would be impossible to describe, so that even her bodily strength failed her. Then she said to God: "It seems to me that I can truly say to Thee now, 'Behold, my Beloved Lord, not only my inmost soul, but every part of my body is moved toward Thee!"' - "I know and feel it perfectly," replied Our Lord, "because these graces have flowed from Me and returned to Me. But as for you who are held captive in the chains of mortality, you can never understand all the reciprocal sweetness which My Divinity feels towards you. He added: Know, however, that this movement of grace glorifies you, as My Body was glorified on Mount Thabor in presence of My three beloved disciples; so that I can say of you, in the sweetness of My charity: 'This is My beloved daughter, in whom I am well pleased.' For it is the property of this grace to communicate to the body as well to the mind a marvelous glory and brightness.

Chapter 12. Reparation for the fall of a Host, which it was feared had been consecrated.

It happened one day that, in preparing for Mass, a host fell from some fold, and all were in doubt whether it had been consecrated or not. The Saint had recourse to God; and having learned that the wafer had not been consecrated, she rejoiced much that no irreverence had been committed. Yet, as all her care was to promote the glory of God, she said to Him: "Although Thy infinite goodness has not permitted that Thou shouldest receive so great an outrage in this place, and in the Sacrament of the Altar - nevertheless, O Lord of the Universe, because Thou wert treated with a like indignity and irreverence, not only by Thy enemies the heathen and the Jews, but alas, even by Thy most faithful friends, whom Thou hast redeemed by the price of Thy most Precious Blood, and I weep to say it, sometimes even by priests and religious, I will not make it known that this host was not consecrated, in order that Thou mayest not be deprived of the satisfaction that will be offered to Thee" Then she added: O Lord my God, make known to me what satisfaction is most agreeable to Thee for each offense which is committed against Thee, because I will try to accomplish it for love of Thy honor and glory, even if I consume my whole strength in doing it." Our Lord then made known to her that He would accept the recital of the Lord's Prayer two hundred and twenty-five times, in honor of His sacred Limbs; and of as many acts of charity toward her neighbor, in thanksgiving to Him who has said: "So long as you did it to one of these My least brethren, you did it to Me". (Matt.25), and in union with that love which made God become Man for us; and that she should deprive herself as many times of the vain and useless pleasures of earth, and occupy herself only with zeal and true pleasures of the Divinity.

Oh how great and ineffable is the mercy and kindness of our most loving God, which accepts and rewards as offerings what we should deserve most just punishment for if we omitted!

Chapter 13. Of the value and efficacy of Confession. How we should conquer the difficulties we feel in approaching the Sacrament of Penance.

The Lord, who is ever jealous of the salvation of His elect, sometimes makes the most trifling thing appear full of difficulty, for the increase of our merit. It was with this intention that He once allowed St. Gertrude to feel the duty of Confession so burdensome that it seemed as if she could never perform this duty by her own strength. She therefore addressed herself to God with all the fervor she could command, and He replied: Why do you not confide this Confession to Me, with such confidence that you need think no more of your own labor or exertion to make it perfect? She replied: "I have full and superabundant confidence in Thy mercy and omnipotence, my loving Lord; but I think it is only just, as I have offended Thee by my sins, that I give Thee some tokens of my amendment, by reflecting on the disorders of my life in the bitterness of my soul." Our Lord having manifested to her that her design was agreeable to Him, Gertrude occupied herself entirely with the recollections of her sins, and it appeared to her as if her skin were torn in several places, and as if it had been pierced with thorns; then having discovered her wounds and miseries to the Father of Mercies as to a wise and faithful Physician, he inclined lovingly toward her, and said: I will warm the bath of Confession for you by My Divine breath; and when you have bathed yourself in it, according to My desire, you will appear without a spot before Me. Then she prepared in all haste to plunge into this bath, saying: "Lord, I renounce every sentiment of human respect for love of Thee; and even should I be obliged to publish my crimes to the whole world, I am ready to do so." Then Our Lord covered her with His mantle, and allowed her to repose upon His bosom until this bath was prepared for her.

When the time came for Confession, she she was more tried than before. "Lord", she exclaimed, "since Thy paternal love knows all I suffer about this Confession, why dost Thou permit me to be weighed down by this trial?" Those who take a bath, replied Our Lord, are accustomed to have themselves rubbed, in order to purify themselves more completely: thus the trouble of mind which you suffer will serve to purify you. Then, having perceived on the right side of her Spouse a bath which exhaled a thick vapor, she saw on the other side a delicious garden, enameled with flowers, of which the most remarkable were roses without thorns, of rare beauty, which emitted a sweet and vivifying odor, attracting all who approached thither. The Lord made a sign to her to enter this garden, if she preferred it to the bath which she feared so much. "Not this, O Lord," she exclaimed, "but the bath which Thou hast warmed for me by Thy Divine Breath." Our Lord replied: May it avail for your eternal salvation!

Gertrude then understood that the garden represented the interior joys of Divine grace, which expose the faithful soul to the south wind of charity, water it with the loving dew of tears, and in an instant makes it whiter than snow, assuring it not only of a general pardon of all its faults, but even of a new increase of merit. But she doubted not God was better pleased that for love of Him she had chosen what was painful and refused what was consoling. Then, having retired to pray after her Confession, she felt a most powerful assistance from God in this exercise, so that what He had formerly made so painful to her now appeared light and easy. It must be observed here that the soul is purified from the stain of sin principally in two manners: first, by the bitterness of penance, which is represented under the figure of a bath; and secondly, by the sweet embrace of Divine Love, which is figured by the garden. Before Confession, the Saint had occupied herself in contemplating the Wound of the Left Hand, so that after this bath she might rest therein until she could accomplish the penance enjoined by the Priest. But as it was such that she was obliged to defer it for some time, she was extremely afflicted that she could not converse familiarly and freely with her faithful and amiable Spouse until she had paid this debt. Therefore, during Mass, as the priest immolated the Sacred Host, which truly and efficaciously blots out all of the sins of men, she offered to God thanksgiving for all that He had done for her in the bath of penance, and in satisfaction for her faults. This the Eternal Father accepted and received her into His bosom, where she learned that "this Orient from on high" had visited her in the plenitude of mercy and truth.

Chapter 14. The different effects of charity are explained by the comparison of a tree covered with leaves, flowers, and fruit.

On the following day, as the Saint heard Mass, she was overcome by weariness; but the sound of the bell aroused her, and she beheld Jesus Christ, her Lord and King, holding a tree in His hand, which was covered with the most beautiful fruit, and whose leaves shone like so many stars, shooting forth rays of admirable brightness; and having given of these fruits to the Saints who composed His celestial court, they found a marvelous sweetness therein. Soon after, Our Lord planted this tree in the garden of her heart, that she might make it more fruitful by cultivation, that she might repose under it and be refreshed there. Having received this deposit, she began to pray for a person who had persecuted her a short time before, asking to increase its fruitfulness, that she might suffer again what she had already suffered, to draw down more abundant grace on this person. At this moment she beheld a flower, of a most beautiful color, burst forth on the top of the tree, which promised to change into fruit if she executed her good intention. This tree was the symbol of charity, which bears not only the abundant fruit of good works, but also the flowers of goodwill and the bright leaves of holy desires. Therefore, the citizens of Heaven rejoice greatly when men condescend toward their brethren and endeavor with all their power to solace them in their needs. At the moment of the elevation of the Host, Our Lord adorned the Saint with various graces which He had communicated to her on the preceding day.

On the same day, at noon, our Lord appeared to her under the form of a beautiful youth, and asked her to gather nuts for Him from the tree before mentioned; and for this purpose He raised the tree up, that she might place herself in the branches. "But my sweet Lord," she replied, "why do You ask me to do that which is far beyond the weakness of my virtue and my sex, and which Thy condescension would rather incline Thee to do for me?" He replied: Should not the spouse act more freely in her own house, amongst her friends and domestics, than a respectful bridegroom who only enters occasionally to pay her a visit? But if she grant anything to the timidity of her bride groom while he is with her, he will not fail to have some consideration for her when she visits him. By this she understood what reasonable excuses persons make when they say: "If God wills me to do this or that He will give me the grace necessary to do it"; whereas it is only just that men should bend their wills entirely to God's, and never seek their own convenience on any occasion, and then they will enjoy hereafter an eternal recompense.

As Gertrude now desired to present her Divine Spouse with the nuts for which He has asked, He ascended the tree, and seated Himself near her, commanding her to peel them and prepare them for eating, teaching her by this parable that it is not sufficient for us to overcome our aversion to do good to our enemies, if we do not also seek to do so in a perfect manner. He thus deigned to teach her, by ordering her to pull and prepare those nuts, that we should do good to our persecutors; and it is for this reason that nuts, whose shell is hard and bitter, were mingled with the soft and delicious fruit of this tree, in order that we might understand that charity toward our enemies should be seasoned with the sweetness of Divine grace, which makes men ready to endure death itself for Jesus Christ.

Chapter 15. How afflictions unite the soul to Jesus Christ ; and of the effect of an unjust excommunication.

While the Mass, Salve, Sancte Parens, was said in honor of the Mother of God, being the last day on which the Holy Sacrifice was allowed to be celebrated, on account of an interdict, St Gertrude addressed God thus: "How wilt Thou console us, most kind Lord, in our present affliction?" He replied: I will increase My joys in you; for as a spouse entertains himself more familiarly with his bride in the retirement of his house than in public, so will I take My pleasure in your retreat. My love will increase in you, even as fire which is enclosed burns with great force; and the delight which I find in you, and the love which you will have for Me, will be like a pent up ocean, which seems to increase by the impediments placed to its progress, until at last it breaks forth impetuously. "But how long will this interdict continue?" inquired the Saint. The Lord replied: The favors which I promise you will last as long as it does. She replied: "It appears a degradation to the great ones of earth to reveal their secrets to those beneath them; is it not then, unworthy of Thy Majesty, Who art the King of kings, to reveal the secrets of Thy Divine Providence to me, who am the shame and rebuke of all creatures? It is on this account, doubtless, that Thou dost not make known to me when this interdict will terminate, although Thou knowest the end of all things before they have commenced." It is not so, replied the Lord; I conceal the secret from you for the furtherance of your spiritual welfare; for if I sometimes admit you to My secrets in contemplation, I exclude you from them also to preserve your humility, that by receiving this grace you may know what you are in Me; and by being deprived of it, you may know what you are of yourself.

At the Offertory of the Mass, Recordare, Virgo Maria, as the words ut loquaris pro nobis bona ("to speak good things for us") were repeated, the Saint raised her heart toward the Mother of all grace, and the Lord said to her: Even should there be none to speak good things for you, I am already prepared Myself to favor you. But as St. Gertrude reflected on the multitude of her own faults, and those of some others, she was doubtful whether she was entirely reconciled with God; but He said to her tenderly: My natural goodness obliges Me to have regard to those amongst you who are most perfect; and as all are encircled by My Divinity, the perfections hide the imperfection. "O bountiful Lord!" inquired Gertrude, "how canst Thou give graces so full of consolation to one so unworthy to receive them?" He replied: My love compels Me. Where then she inquired, " are the stains which I contracted lately by my impatience, and which I manifested by my words?" The fire of My love. He replied, has consumed them entirely; for I efface all the stains which I meet with in the souls whom I visit by My free and loving grace.

"O God of mercy!" continued Gertrude, "since Thou hast so often assisted my misery with Thy graces, I desire to know if my faults, such as my late impatience and other similar ones, will be purified in my soul before or after my death?" Then, as Our Lord lovingly made as though He heard her not, she added: "If Thy justice demanded it, I would freely and willingly descend even into Hell, to make a more condign satisfaction to Thee. But, if it is more glorious to Thy natural goodness and mercy to consume my imperfections by the fire of Thy love, I will venture to implore Thee that this same love may efface all the stains from my soul, and make it purer than I could merit." And this appeared agreeable to Our Lord in His goodness and tenderness.

On the following day, as Mass was celebrated for the people in the parish church, she said to God at the time of Communion: "Dost Thou not compassionate us, most loving Father, for being deprived, on account of these goods, of this most precious good, the Sacred Food of the Body and Blood?" How can I feel it more? replied the Lord; if I conduct My spouse to a banquet, and I perceive, before she enters, that her attire is disarranged, will I not draw her aside to a retired place, and arrange it with My own hands, that I may introduce her with honor? "But, my God," she inquired, "how can they have this grace who suffer this evil through us?" He replied: Do not think of them; I will settle this matter with them.

Then, at the oblation of the Host, as she offered It to the Lord for His eternal praise and the welfare of her community, the Lord received It in her, communicating to her its vivifying sweetness, and saying: I will nourish them with this Divine Food. "Wilt Thou not communicate Thyself, my God, to all the community?" She inquired. No, He replied: only to those who have the desire of communicating, or the will to desire it; but for the rest who belong to the community, they shall have the advantage of feeling themselves excited to partake of this celestial food, even as persons who have no thought of eating are attracting by the odor of some viand, and begin to desire to partake of it.

On the Feast of the Assumption she heard Our Lord say, at the elevation of the Host: "I am going to immolate Myself to God My Father for my members." She said: "Most loving Lord, wilt Thou permit us, who are cut off from Thee by the anathema of those who would take our goods from us, to be joined to them?" The Lord replied: If anyone could take away from you the intimate union by which you are united to Me, then indeed you would be separated from Me. But as for the excommunication which is inflicted on you, it will make no more impression on you than a blunt knife would be upon a tree, which it could not penetrate, and at best could but mark slightly. She replied: "My Lord and my God, Who art the infallible Truth, Thou hast made known to me, although unworthy of such a revelation, that Thou wouldest increase Thy consolations in us and redouble Thy love: and yet there are some amongst us who complain that their charity is becoming cold. I contain all good in Myself, replied Our Lord; and I distribute to each in season what they need.

Chapter 16. A vision in which St. Gertrude beheld our Lord communicating the sisters.

On a Sunday on which fell both the Feast of St. Lawrence and that of the dedication of the church of the monastery, the Saint having begun to pray during the first Mass for some persons who had recommended themselves to her prayers, perceived a green vine-branch which came forth from the throne of God, and descended to the earth; and by its foliage, as by the steps, one could ascend from the bottom to the top. She understood that this mystic ladder was a symbol of faith, by which the elect mount up to Heaven; and as she saw many of her sisters assembled at the summit of this vine, on the left side of the throne of God, amongst whom Jesus Christ stood with extreme pleasure in presence of His heavenly Father, the hour approached at which the community would have communicated, if they had not been hindered by the interdict; and she desired ardently that she and those present might receive this life - giving Sacrament, which by an incomprehensible secret of the Divine goodness, gives life to men, despite all the obstacles which are opposed to it.

After this, she saw Jesus Christ holding a Host in His hand, which He plunged into the Heart of God His Father; and when He drew it forth, it seemed as if colored vermilion or tinged with blood. Gertrude was amazed at this, and marveled much what it might signify, the more so because red is a symbol of the Passion, and the Eternal Father could never have any marks of suffering. Being thus entirely absorbed in meditating on what she saw, she forgot to ask for the accomplishment of her desires; but soon after she knew without perceiving in what manner it was effected, that the Lord had chosen for the place of His dwelling and repose the hearts and souls of all her sisters whom she had seen assembled around the throne of God. The Saint now remembered a person who had recommended herself to her prayers before Mass with great humility and devotion, and she prayed God to grant her a share in these favors. He replied, that no one could ascend thus unless she was elevated by confidence, of which the person for whom she prayed had but little. The Saint replied: "It seems to me, my God, that the want if confidence in this person proceeds from a humility, on which Thou dost usually pour forth Thy most abundant graces." Our Lord answered: I will descend now, and communicate Myself to this soul and to all who are in the valley of self abasement. Then the Son of God, the Lord and Master of all virtues, appeared to descend suddenly by a crimson ladder, and soon after she beheld Him at the altar of the church of the monastery, clothed with pontifical vestments, and bearing in His Hands pyx like those in which the consecrated Hosts alone are reserved, and He remained seated before the priest until the Preface of the Mass.

A multitude of Angels attended Him, so that the whole church on the northern side, which was to the right side of the Lord, seemed filled with them; and these blessed spirits testified a particular joy in visiting the place where their fellow citizens, the religious of the monastery, had so often addressed their prayers to God. On the left - that is, on the south side - there was but one choir of Angels, who were followed by a choir of apostles, a choir of martyrs, a choir of confessors, and a choir of virgins, each apart. Gertrude, beholding so august an assembly, and reflecting that, according to Scripture, it is purity which brings us nearer to God, perceived between the Lord and the choir of virgins rays of light, shining like snow, which united these holy virgins more closely than the other Saints to their Spouse, by the ravishing sweetness of His caresses and intimacy.

She also perceived rays of a most brilliant light, which were shed upon some members of the community, as if there were no obstacles between them and God; although they were materially separated from the church where she beheld this mysterious apparitions. And though the Saint was filled with an extreme joy during this rapture, she was still solicitous for the sisters, and said to God: "Lord, since Thou hast been pleased to pour forth on me the free gifts of Thine ineffable love, what wilt Thou give to those who are engaged in exterior duties?" He replied: I will anoint them with balsam, though they seem to sleep. Gertrude was surprised at this, and could not understand how those who did not give themselves to a contemplative life should receive nevertheless the same reward as those who were devoted to it. Then, as she began to examine into the quality of these perfumes of which the Son of God had spoken by comparing them to balm and aromatic ointments - a small portion of which will suffice to preserve the body from corruption, whether it is embalmed before or after the sleep of death, so that it has received this unction - she was enlightened in her difficulty by this familiar compassion: namely, that when anyone partakes of food, every member of his body is strengthened and nourished by it, although the mouth alone perceives the delicacy of the viand; so when God, by an excess of His mercy, grants any special grace to one of His elect, all participate in it; and principally those who are united by the ties of community, where they receive an increase and superabundance of merit; and they only are excluded from this benefit who exclude themselves by their jealousy or ill will.

Then, as the Gloria in excelsis was intoned, the Sovereign Pontiff, Our Lord Jesus Christ, breathed toward Heaven to the honor of His Eternal Father, a breath like a burning flame. And at the words: Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis, He breathed upon those who were present a white light, bright as snow. At the words of the Preface, Sursum corda, the Son of God arose, and by an efficacious attraction drew towards Himself all who were present. Then turning toward the east, assisted by an infinite number of Angels, He stood and raised His hands, and offered to God His Father, through the words of the Preface, the prayers of the faithful. After this, when they began the Agnus Dei, the Lord rose before the altar, with all the power of His majesty; communicating Himself, at the second Agnus Dei, by an impenetrable effect of His wisdom, to the souls of all the assistants; at the third Agnus Dei, withdrawing into Himself, He offered in His own person to God His Father all their prayers and desires. Then pouring forth again His sweetness, He gave the pax with His own blessed lips to all the Saints who were present; honoring with singular favor the company of virgins, offering this kiss both to their lips and their hearts.

After this, pouring forth the torrents of His love, He gave Himself to the community, with these words: I am all yours; therefore, let each enjoy Me as she desires. Then Gertrude replied to her Spouse:"Lord, now that I am satisfied with Thy incredible delights, it seems to me that Thou art still too far from me when Thou reposest on the altar; therefore, for the benediction of this Mass, unite my soul so to Thee that I may feel it is bound to Thee." This the Lord accomplished in such a manner that she knew by her union with her Spouse how pleasing her desire was to Him.

Chapter 17. How we should prepare ourselves to receive the Body of Jesus Christ. Different exercises of piety which St. Gertrude practised towards this august Sacrament.

§ 1. The Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity communicate Their sanctity to Gertrude, that she may communicate more worthily.

As the Saint approached to receive the Sacrament of Life - when they sang the Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, the Antiphon Gaude et laetare - she prostrated herself on the ground, praying to God with her whole heart that He would be pleased to prepare her worthily to participate in the celestial Food, for His glory and for the advantage of others. The Son of God then abased Himself quickly towards her, and embracing her soul while they sang the word sanctus, said: At the word sanctus, which is referred to My Person, I will give you all the sanctity of My Divinity and My Humanity, as a worthy preparation to approach these Holy Mysteries.

The following Sunday, as she returned thanks to God for this favor, she beheld the Son of God, more beautiful than a million Angels, presenting her condescendingly to God His Father, clothed with His own holiness, which He had given to her. The Eternal Father took such great pleasure in the soul, for the sake of His only Son, that not being able to refrain from pouring forth His graces, He granted to her, with the Holy Spirit, the sanctity which is attributed to Them as holy (sanctus), as well of that which emanates from Omnipotence as of that which emanates from wisdom and love.

§ 2. St. Gertrude, preparing for Communion, receives the assurance from Jesus Christ that He will never depart from her, and that for her sake He will do good to others.

On another occasion, when she was about to communicate, and perceived that many were abstaining from it for different reasons, she rejoiced in spirit, and being touched to the heart, said to God: "I give Thee thanks, my most loving Love and my God, that Thou hast placed me in this happy state, in which neither my relations nor earthly consideration can prevent me from approaching Thy banquet of delights" To which the Lord replied with His usual sweetness: Since you have declared that there is nothing which can separate you from Me, know also that there is nothing in Heaven or earth, neither judgment nor justice, which can hinder Me from doing all the good for you which My Divine Heart desires.

On another occasion, as St. Gertrude approached the Holy Communion, and desired ardently that the Lord would prepare her worthily, this sweet and loving Lord consoled her by these tender words: I will clothe Myself with your person, in order that I may be able to extend My Hand to do good to sinners without being wounded by the thorns which surround them. And I will also clothe you with Myself, in order that all those whom you remember before Me, and even those who are naturally like you, may be raised to this high dignity, that I may do good to them according to My royal munificence.

§ 3. St. Gertrude is presented to the Holy Trinity by Jesus Christ. She obtains joy for the blessed, grace for the just, repentance for sinners, and release for the souls in Purgatory.

One day when the Saint was about to partake of the Divine Food, she reflected on the graces which God had bestowed on her, and recalled this passage in the Book of Kings: 'Who am I and what is my father's family?' cf:(1 Kings 18:18), Then turning from these last words, as only proper for those who had always served God, she considered herself as a little plant, which, on account of its proximity to the inextinguishable fire of the Divine Heart, received its benefits; and she saw that she wasted it, hour after hour, by her faults and negligences; and that being reduced as it were to ashes, she resembled a burned out coal, which had been cast away. Therefore she turned toward Jesus Christ, her beloved Mediator, and besought Him to present her to God the Father, and to reconcile her to Him; and it appeared to her that her dear Spouse drew her to Him by the vapor of the love which came forth from the Wounds of His Heart, and that He washed her in the water which flowed from it, watering her with the life - giving Blood which was contained therein; so that, by degrees, she was transformed from the burned out coal to a tree covered with verdure, whose branches were divided into three parts, like a lily; and the Son of God, having taken it, presented it, with marks of honor and thanksgiving, to the most holy and adorable Trinity; who received it with such love and tenderness, that the Eternal Father, by His omnipotence, attached to the highest branches of this tree all the fruit which the soul of the Saint might have produced if she had corresponded as she ought with the commands of the Divine Omnipotence. The Son of God and the Holy Spirit, in like manner, placed on two other parts of its branches the fruits of wisdom and charity.

Having, therefore, received the Body of Jesus Christ, and contemplating her Lord, as we have said, under the similitude of a tree, whose root was in the Wound, of the Side of Jesus Christ, it seemed to her that a kind of sap formed of the Humanity and Divinity of Jesus Christ, came forth in a miraculous manner from this sacred Wound, and passed through the stem of this tree into all its branches, producing flowers and fruit, which appeared as bright, in comparison with her ordinary life, as gold exceeds crystal in its brightness. This gave pleasure and an indescribable joy, not only to the Most Holy Trinity, but even to all the blessed, who, having risen out of respect, presented their merits to her individually, in the form of crowns, and suspended them on the branches of this tree, to His praise and glory who had given them new joy through her merits.

Then Gertrude prayed to God that all who were in Heaven, on earth, or in Purgatory, and who ought without doubt to have reaped some fruit from her works, had she not been so negligent, might at least receive some advantage from the graces which His Divine goodness had communicated to her. Then these good works which were figured by the fruit tree, began to distill a liquor of extraordinary virtue: a part of which evaporated on high, filling the blessed with joy; another portion flowed down into Purgatory, soothing the pains of those who suffered there; and part, spreading itself forth upon the earth, augmenting the sweetness of grace in the just, and in sinners the bitterness of penance.

§ 4. How advantageous it is to hear Holy Mass.

As Gertrude offered the adorable Host to the Eternal Father, at the moment of the Elevation, in satisfaction for all her sins, and in reparation for all her negligences, she beheld her soul presented before the Divine Majesty with the same sentiments of joy in which Jesus Christ - who is the splendor and living image of the glory of His Father, and the Lamb of God without spot - offered Himself on the altar to God His Father for the salvation of the whole world, because the Eternal Father considered her as purified from all sin by the merit of the spotless Humanity of Jesus Christ, and enriched and adorned with all the virtues which, through the same Holy Humanity, adorned the glorious Divinity of His Son.

As the Saint returned thanks to God for these graces with all her power, and took pleasure in considering the extraordinary favors which He had communicated to her, it was revealed to her that whenever anyone assists at Mass with devotion, occupied with God, who offers Himself in this Sacrament for the whole world, he is truly regarded by the Eternal Father with the tenderness merited by the Sacred Host which is offered to Him, and becomes like one who, coming out of a dark place into the midst of sunlight, finds himself suddenly surrounded by brightness. Then the Saint made this inquiry of God: "Is not he who falls into sin deprived of this good, even as one who goes from light into darkness loses the favor of beholding the light?" The Lord replied: No; for although the sinner hides My Divine light from him, still My goodness will not fail to leave him some ray to guide him to eternal life; and this light will increase whenever he hears Mass with devotion or approaches the Sacraments.

§ 5. The spiritual vestments with which the soul should be adorned to receive the Holy Communion, and of the necessity of sanctifying the tongue which has touched the Body of Christ.

As Gertrude was about to communicate, and feared she was not sufficiently prepared, though the moment was at hand, she addressed her soul thus: "Behold, thy Spouse calls thee: and how canst thou dare to appear before Him without being adorned as thou shouldst be?" Then, reflecting more and more on her unworthiness - entirely distrusting herself, and placing her confidence in the mercy of God alone - she said to herself: "Why defer longer, since, even had I a thousand years, I could not prepare as I ought, having nothing which could serve to promote the right dispositions in me. But I will meet Him with confidence and humility; and when my Lord beholds me from afar, He can fill me with all grace and the attractions with which His love desires that I should appear before Him". And, approaching the Holy Mysteries in this disposition, she thought only of her negligences and imperfections. But as she advanced, she perceived Our Lord regarding her with an eye of compassion, or rather of love, and sending her His innocence, that she might be adorned therewith as with a white garment. He gave her His humility, which made Him converse with creatures so utterly unworthy of such a favor; and this served her for a purple tunic. He filled her with that hope which would make her sigh ardently for Him Whom she loved, to add the beauty of green to her garments. He presented her with His love of souls for a vestment of gold. He inspired her with the joy which He takes in the hearts of the faithful for a crown of precious stones. And, lastly, He gave her for sandals that confidence with which He deigned to rest on the inconstancy of human frailty, and which made Him find His delights with the children of men. And thus she was worthy to be presented to God.

After her Communion, as she recollected herself interiorly, Our Lord appeared to her under the form of a pelican, as it is usually represented, piercing the heart with its beak. Marveling at this, she said: "My Lord, what wouldst Thou teach me by this vision? - I wish, replied Our Lord, that you would consider the excess of love which obliges Me to present you with such a gift; for after having thus given Myself, I would rather remain dead in the tomb, so to speak, than deprive a soul who loves Me of the fruit of My liberality. Consider also, that even as the blood which comes from the heart of the pelican gives life to its little ones, so also the soul whom I nourish with the Divine Food which I present to it, receives a life which will never end.

On another occasion, after Communion, as the Saint was considering with what circumspection she should use that tongue, honored above all the members of the body in being the depository of the most precious mysteries of Jesus Christ, she was instructed by this comparison: That one who does not abstain from vain, idle or sinful discourse, and who approaches the Holy Communion without repentance, is like a person who gathers a heap of stones at the threshold of his door to throw at his guest when he comes to visit him, or beats him cruelly on the head with a rod.

§ 6. Of the ineffable love of God in the Sacrament of the Altar.

Gertrude, having one day heard a sermon on the justice of God, was so overcome by fear, that she dared not approach this Divine Sacrament; but God, in His mercy, reassured her by these words: If you will not look with the eyes of your soul on the many mercies which I have bestowed on you, open at least the eyes of your body, and behold Me before you enclosed in a little pyx, and know assuredly that the rigor of My justice is even thus limited within the bounds of the mercy which I exercise toward men in the dispensation of this Sacrament.

On a similar occasion, the sweetness of the Divine goodness urged her to a participation in the Holy Mysteries, by these words: Consider in how small a space I give you My entire Divinity and My Humanity. Compare the size of this with the size of the human body, and judge then the greatness of My love. For as the human body surpasses my Body in size - that is to say, the quantity of the species of bread under which My Body is contained - so My mercy and charity in this Sacrament reduce Me to this state, that the soul which loves Me is in some sort above Me, as the human body is greater than My Body.

On another day, as she received the saving Host, Our Lord addressed her thus: Consider that the priest who gives you the Host touches it with his hands, and the vestments with which he is clothed, out of respect, do not reach beyond his arms; this is to teach you, that although I regard with pleasure all that is done for My glory, as prayers, fasts, vigils and other like works of piety, still (those who have little understanding will not comprehend it) the confidence with which the elect have recourse to Me in their weakness touches Me far more sensibly; even as you see My flesh is nearer to the hands of the priest than his vestments.

§ 7. That humility is more agreeable to God than sensible devotion; and how much Our Lord desires to give Himself to the soul who loves Him.

Once, when Gertrude heard the bell which called her to Communion, and the chant had already commenced, as she felt that she was not sufficiently prepared, she said to Our Lord: Behold, Lord, Thou art coming to me; but why hast Thou not granted me the grace of devotion, so that I might present myself before Thee with a better preparation?" He replied: A bridegroom admires the personal beauty of his bride more than her ornaments; and in like manner I prefer the virtue of humility to the grace of devotion.

Once, when many of the religious had abstained from Communion, Gertrude returned thanks to God, saying: "I thank Thee, O Lord, that Thou hast invited me to Thy Sacred Banquet." To which Our Lord replied, with words full of sweetness and tenderness: Know that I have desired thee with My whole Heart. "Alas, Lord!" she exclaimed, "what glory can accrue to Thy Divinity when I touch this Sacrament with my unworthy lips?" He replied: Even as the love which we have for a friend makes us take pleasure in hearing him speak, so also the charity which I have for My elect makes Me sometimes find satisfaction in that which they find none.

Once, as the Saint ardently desired to see the Sacred Host as the priest communicated the people, but could not do so on account of the crowd, she heard Our Lord saying to her: A sweet secret shall be between us, which is unknown to those who absent themselves from Me; but thou, if thou wouldst enjoy it, approach; and thou shalt not see, but taste and prove, the sweetness of this hidden manna.

§ 8. That it is not wrong to abstain from Communion through reverence.

As Gertrude saw one of her sisters approaching the Holy Eucharist with extreme emotions of fear, she turned from her with a feeling of indignation; but the Lord charitably reproved her by these words saying: Do you not know that I am honored by reverence as well as by love? But as human weakness is not able to combine the two at one moment, and all are the members of one body, those who have less should take from those who have more. For example, let her who is more moved by the sweetness of My love think less of the duty of respect, and be thankful that another supplies for her deficiency, by being more exact in testifying her reverence; and let that other desire that she should obtain the joy and consolation that a soul possesses who is full of the Divine unction.

Once also, as Gertrude prayed for a sister under similar circumstances, Our Lord replied: I would that My elect should not consider Me so severe, but rather believe that I should receive as a benefit the least service they render Me at their own expense. For example, she makes a sacrifice to God at her own expense who, although she finds no sweetness in devotion, never omits the service of God, either by prayers, prostrations, or other acts of devotion, still hoping, in His mercy, that He will accept the fulfillment of these duties.

§ 9. Whence it is that we sometimes feel less fervor at the moment of Communion than at any other time.

As Gertrude prayed for a person who complained of having less devotion on the days on which she communicated than on others, Our Lord said to her: This has not happened by chance, but by a particular Providence, which inspires feelings of devotion at unexpected times, to elevate the heart of man, which is so enslaved by the body; but on festivals and at the time of Communion I withdraw this grace, preferring to occupy the hearts of My elect with good desires or humility; and this may be more advantageous to their welfare than the grace of devotion.

§ 10. God permits the just to fall for their humiliation.

As the Saint prayed for a person who had abstained from receiving the Body of the Lord, fearing to be an occasion of scandal, Our Lord made known His Will by this comparison: As a man who washes his hands to remove a stain, removes at the same time not only what he has seen, but also cleanses his hands perfectly, so the just are allowed to fall into some trifling faults, that they may become more agreeable to Me by their repentance and humility; but there are some who contradict My designs in this, by neglecting the interior beauty which I desire to see after their penance, thinking of the exterior, and of the judgment of men, and this they do, when they deprive themselves of the grace which they might receive in the Sacrament, from the fear of scandalizing those who do not think them sufficiently prepared.

§ 11. Jesus Christ Himself prepares the Saint for Communion.

As the Saint was about to receive Holy Communion, she felt herself invited by Jesus Christ Himself. It appeared to her that she was in the celestial kingdom, and that she was seated in glory near the Eternal Father, to eat with Him at His table. But as she considered that she was neither properly attired nor sufficiently prepared, she endeavored to withdraw. Then the Son of God came to her, and led her to a retired place to prepare her for this banquet. And first, He remitted her sins by washing her hands, offering His Passion for her amendment. Then He gave her a necklace, bracelets and rings; and having thus adorned her, He desired her to walk discreetly, as one so adorned should do, and not like a foolish person, who, even when thus attired, would be despised rather than honored.

She understood by these words, that they walk like fools who, after they have been cured of their defects, are as pusillanimous as ever, because they have not an entire confidence that Jesus Christ will supply for their defects.

§ 12. Of the value of communicating for the souls in Purgatory.

One day, after Communion, the Saint offered the Host which she had just received for the souls in Purgatory; and perceiving the great benefit they obtained thereby, she was amazed, and said to her Spouse: "My God, since I am obliged to declare for Thy glory that Thou dost honor me continually with Thy presence, or rather, that Thou abidest in my soul, unworthy as I am, how is it that Thou dost not work through me as Thou hast done today after I have received Thy adorable Body?" He replied: It is not easy for everyone to approach a king who remains always in his palace; but when his love for his queen induces him to go forth, then all may behold, through her kindness, his pomp and magnificence; thus, when, moved by My love, I visit one of the faithful (who is free from mortal sin) in the Sacrament of the Altar, all who are in Heaven, on earth, or in Purgatory, receive immense benefits thereby.

On another occasion the Saint humbled herself deeply before approaching the Holy Communion, in honor and in imitation of the humility of the Son of God in descending into limbo. Then, uniting herself with His descent, she found herself descending to the very depths of Purgatory; and humbling herself still lower, she heard Our Lord say to her: I will draw you to Me in the Sacrament of the Altar in such a manner that you will draw after you all those who shall perceive the odor of your desire.

Having received this promise from Our Lord, she desired after Communion that He would release as many souls as she could divide the Host into particles in her mouth; but as she tried to effect this, He said to her: In order that you may know that My mercy is above all My works, and that the abyss of My mercy cannot be exhausted, I am ready to grant you, through the merit of this life - giving Sacrament, more than you dare ask Me.

Chapter 18. The devotion of St. Gertrude to the Mother of God. She is taught to invoke her as the white lily of the adorable Trinity, and the vermilion rose of heaven.

As Gertrude offered herself to God during her prayer, and inquired how He desired her to occupy herself at this time, He replied: Honor My Mother, who is seated at My side, and employ yourself in praising Her. Then the Saint began to salute the Queen of Heaven, reciting the verse, Paradisus voluptas, etc. - "Paradise of delights"; and extolling her because she was the abode full of delights which the impenetrable wisdom of God, Who knows all creatures perfectly, had chosen for His dwelling; and she besought her to obtain for her a heart adorned with so many virtues that God might take pleasure in dwelling therein. Then the Blessed Virgin inclined towards her and planted in her heart the different flowers of virtue - the rose of charity, the lily of chastity, the violet of humility, the flexibility of obedience and many other gifts, thus showing how promptly she assists those who invoke her assistance.

Then the Saint addressed her thus: 'Gaude, morum disciplina - "Rejoice, model of discipline:"' praising her for having ordered her desires, judgment and affection with more care and circumspection than the rest of mankind, and for having served the Lord, who dwelt in her, with such respect and reverence, that she had never given Him the least occasion of pain in her thoughts, words or actions. Having besought her to obtain for her also the same grace, it appeared to her that the Mother of God sent her all her affections under the form of young virgins, recommending each in particular to unite her dispositions to those of her client, and to supply for any defects into which she might fall. By this also she understood with what promptitude the Blessed Virgin assists those who invoke her. Then the Saint besought Our Lord to supply for her omissions in devotion to His Blessed Mother, which He was pleased to do.

The following day, as Gertrude prayed, the Mother of God appeared to her, in the presence of the ever - adorable Trinity, under the form of a white lily, with three leaves, one standing erect, and the other two bent down. By this she understood that it was not without reason that the Blessed Mother of God was called white lily of the Trinity, since She contained in herself, with more plenitude and perfection than any other creature, the virtues of the Most Holy Trinity, which she had never sullied by the slightest stain of sin. The upright leaf of the lily represented the omnipotence of God the Father, and the two leaves which bent down, the wisdom and love of the Son and the Holy Spirit, to which the Virgin approaches so nearly. Then the Blessed Virgin made known to her that if anyone salutes Her devoutly as the white lily of the Trinity and vermilion rose of Heaven, She will show how She prevails by the omnipotence of the Father, how skillful She is in procuring the salvation of men by the wisdom of the Son, and with what exceeding love her heart is filled by the charity of the Holy Ghost. The Blessed Virgin added these words: I will appear at the hour of death to those who salute me thus in such glory, that they will anticipate the very joys of Heaven. From this time the Saint frequently saluted the Holy Virgin or her images with these words: "Hail white lily of the ever peaceful and glorious Trinity! Hail, effulgent rose, the delight of Heaven, of whom the King of Heaven was born and by whose milk He was nourished! Do thou feed our souls by the effusions of thy Divine influences."

Chapter 19. How the praises offered to the Saints may be referred to God.

As St Gertrude was accustomed to refer all that was sweet and agreeable to her Beloved Virgin when she heard or read the praise of the Blessed Virgin or of the Saints, and was more than usually moved thereby, she raised her heart to God, so that she thought more of Him than of the Saint whose memory was honored; and as she heard a sermon on the Feast of the Annunciation, in which the Blessed Virgin was spoken of exclusively, and no mention was made of the Incarnation of the Son of God, she was so grieved, that as she passed the altar of the Blessed Virgin, returning from the sermon, she did not salute her with her usual devotion, but rather offered her salutation to Jesus, the blessed Fruit of her womb. But afterwards she feared she had displeased this august queen, until Our Lord consoled her by these loving words: Fear not, Gertrude, My beloved; for although you have referred the honor and praise which you usually render to My dear Mother exclusively to Me, it will not be less agreeable to Her.

Chapter 20. How God desires to be sought for by the soul that loves Him, and how He loves us when we suffer.

On one occasion, when the Saint was prevented from assisting at Vespers, by some infirmity, she exclaimed: "Lord, wouldst Thou not be more honored if I were in choir with the community, engaged in prayer, and fulfilling the duties of my Rule, than by my being here, passing my time uselessly, in consequence of this illness? Our Lord replied: Be assured that the bridegroom takes more pleasure in conversing with his bride familiarly in his house, than when he displays her before the world, adorned with her richest ornaments. By these words she understood that the soul appears in public, and clothed with all her state, when she occupies herself in good works for the glory of God; but that she reposes in secret with her Spouse, when she is hindered by any infirmity from attending to those exercises, for in this state she is deprived of the satisfaction of acting according to her own inclination, and she remains abandoned entirely to the Will of God; and therefore it is that God takes most pleasure in us when we find least occasion of pleasing and glorifying ourselves.

Chapter 21.The Saint receives a triple absolution and benediction from the Blessed Trinity, through the merits of Jesus Christ.

As the Saint heard Mass one day with the greatest fervor, it appeared to her that her guardian Angel took her in his arms as if she were a little child, at the Kyrie Eleison, and presented her to God the Father, to receive His benediction, saying: "Eternal Father, bless Thy little child." And because for a time He replied not, as if He would testify by His silence that so miserable a creature was unworthy of this favor, she began to enter into herself, and to consider her unworthiness and nothingness with extreme confusion. Then the Son of God arose, and gave her the merits of His most holy life to supply her defects, so that she appeared as if clothed with a rich and shining robe, and as if she had attained to the full age and strength of Jesus Christ.

Then the Eternal Father inclined lovingly toward her, and gave her His absolution thrice, as a sign of the triple remission of all the sins which she had committed against His omnipotence in thought, word and deed. The Saint offered in thanksgiving the adorable life of His only Son; and at the same time the precious stones with which her garments were adorned emitted a harmonious concert to the eternal glory of God, which testified how agreeable it is to Him to offer Him the all perfect and holy life of His Son. The same Angel then presented her to God the Son, saying: "Bless Thy sister, O King of Heaven"; and having received from Him a triple benediction, to efface all the sins she had committed against the Divine Wisdom, he then presented her to the Holy Spirit, with these words: "O Lover of men, bless Thy spouse"; and she received from Him also a triple benediction, in remission of all the sins which she had committed against the Divine Goodness. Let those who read this reflect on these three benedictions at the Kyrie Eleison.

Chapter 22. Favours granted to the Saint during the recital of the Divine Office.

Once, as the Saint was reciting the Divine Office with extraordinary fervor, on the Feast of a Saint, each word which she uttered appeared to dart like an arrow from her heart into the Heart of Jesus, penetrating it deeply, and filling it with ineffable satisfaction. From one end of these arrows rays of light shot forth like stars, which seemed to fall on all the Saints but especially on the one whose festival was celebrated; from the lower end of the arrows drops of dew flowed forth, which fertilized the souls of the living, and refreshed the souls in Purgatory.

As the Saint endeavored on another occasion to attach some particular intention to each note and each word of her chant, she was often hindered by the weakness of nature, and at last exclaimed with much sadness: "Alas, what fruit can I obtain from this exercise, when I am so unstable?" But Our Lord, Who could not endure to behold the affliction of His servant, with His own hands presented her with His Divine Heart, under the figure of a burning lamp, saying to her: Behold, I present to the eyes of your soul My loving Heart, which is the organ of the Most Holy Trinity, that it may accomplish all that you cannot accomplish yourself, and thus all will seem perfect in you to My eyes, for even as a faithful servant is always ready to execute the commands of his master, so, from henceforth, My Heart will be always ready, at any moment, to repair your defects and negligences.

Gertrude wondered and feared, because of this amazing goodness of her Lord, thinking that it was not becoming for the adorable Heart, which is the treasure- house of the Divinity, and the fruitful source of every good, to remain continually near so miserable a creature, to supply for her defects, even as a servant attends on his master. But the Lord consoled and encouraged her by this comparison: If you have a beautiful and melodious voice, and take much pleasure in chanting, will you not feel displeased if another person, whose voice is harsh and unpleasant, and who can scarcely utter a correct sound, wishes to sing, instead of you, and insists on doing so? Thus My Divine Heart, understanding human inconstancy and frailty, desires with incredible ardor continually to be invited, either by your words, or at least by some other sign, to operate and accomplish in you what you are not able to accomplish yourself; and as its omnipotence enables it to act without trouble, and its impenetrable wisdom enables it to act in the most perfect manner, so also its joyous and loving charity makes it ardently desire to accomplish this end.

Chapter 23. Of the abundant virtue which flows from the Heart of Jesus into the faithful soul

Some days after, as the Saint reflected upon this stupendous favor with singular gratitude, she anxiously inquired of the Lord how long it would be continued to her. He replied: As long as you desire to have it, for it would grieve Me to deprive you of it. She answered: "But is it possible that Thy Deified Heart is suspended like a lamp in the midst of mine, which is alas, so unworthy of its presence, when at the same time I have the joy of finding in Thyself this very same source of all delight?" It is even so, replied the Lord; when you wish to take hold of anything, you stretch forth your hand, and then withdraw it again after you have taken it; so also the love which I bear toward you causes Me to extend My Heart to draw you to Me, when you are distracting yourself with exterior things; and then, when you have recollected yourself, I withdraw My Heart, and you along with it, so that you may enter into Me; and thus I make you taste the sweetness of all virtues.

Then, as she considered in the one hand, with exceeding wonder and gratitude, the greatness of the charity which God had for her, and, on the other, her own nothingness and the great number of her faults, she retired with profound self-contempt into the valley of humility, esteeming herself unworthy of any grace; and having remained therein hidden for some time, He who loves to pour forth His gifts on the humble seemed to make a golden tube come forth from His Heart, which descended upon this humble soul in the form of a lamp, making a channel through which He poured forth on her the abundance of all His marvels, so that when she humbled herself at the recollection of her faults, Our Lord poured forth on her from His sacred Heart all the virtue and beauty of His Divine perfection, which concealed her imperfections from the eyes of the Divine Goodness. And further, if she desired any new ornament, or any of those things which appeared attractive and desirable to the human heart, it was communicated to her, with much pleasure and joy, by this same mysterious canal.

When she had tasted the sweetness of these holy delights for sometime, and was adorned with all virtues - not her own, but those given her by God - she heard a most melodious sound, as of a sweet harper harping upon his harp and these words were sung to her. "Come O Mine own, to Me: enter, O Mine own, into Me: abide O Mine own, with Me." And the Lord Himself explained the meaning of this canticle to her, saying: Come to Me, because I love you, and desire that you should be always present before Me, as My beloved spouse, and therefore I call you; and because My delights are in you, I desire that you should enter into Me. Furthermore, because I am the God of love, I desire that you should remain indissolubly united to Me, even as the body is united to the spirit, without which it cannot live for a moment. This rapture continued for an hour, and the Saint was drawn in a miraculous manner into the Heart of Jesus, through this sacred channel of which we have spoken, so that she found herself happily reposing in the bosom of her Lord and Spouse. What she felt, what she saw, what she heard, what she tasted, what she learned of the words of life, she alone can know, and they who, like her, are worthy to be admitted to this sublime union with their Spouse Jesus, their soul's true love, Who is God, blessed forever. Amen.

Chapter 24. Of the sepulchre of Jesus Christ in the faithful soul, and how to make a spiritual cloister in the Body and Heart of Jesus.

On Good Friday, as they made a commemoration of Our Lord's burial, after the Office, Gertrude implored Him to bury Himself in her soul, and to abide therein forever. Our Lord replied, with infinite charity: I will serve as a stone to close the gates of your senses; I will place My affections there as soldiers to guard this stone, to defend your heart against all hurtful affections, and to work in you My Divinity power, for My eternal glory.

Then, fearing that she had judged a person harshly for something which she had seen her do, she said to God: "Lord, Thou hast placed soldiers to guard the entrance of my heart; but alas, I fear they have withdrawn, since I have judged my neighbor so harshly." How can you complain that they have withdrawn, replied Our Lord, when at this moment you experience their assistance? for it is a sign that one desires to be united to Me when they cannot take pleasure in what displeases Me.

While they sang the Antiphon at Vespers, Vidi aquam egredientem - "I saw water springing forth" - the Lord said to Gertrude: Behold My Heart - let it be your temple; then go through the other parts of My Body, and arrange for the other parts of a monastery wherever it seems best for you; for I desire that My sacred Humanity should henceforth be your cloister. "Lord" replied the Saint, "I know not how to seek or choose, because I have found such sweetness in Thy Heart, which Thou hast deigned to give me for a temple, that I can find neither repose nor rest out of it - two things which are absolutely necessary in the cloister". If you desire it, said the Savior, you can still find these two things in My Heart; for have you not heard that there are persons that never leave My house even for food and rest, like St. Dominic? Nevertheless, choose in the other parts of My Body the places which you have need of for this spiritual monastery.

Then Gertrude, obeying the commands of God, chose the Feet of her Spouse for the lavatory ( wash room); His Hands for her work room; His Mouth for her reception room; His Eyes for her school, in which she could read; and His Ears for her confessional. Then the Lord taught her that whenever she committed any fault, she should ascend to this sacred tribunal by the five degrees of humiliation, which are expressed in those five words: "I come to Thee vile, sinful, poor, wicked and unworthy, O Abyss of overflowing goodness, to be cleansed from every stain, and purified from all sin."

Chapter 25. Of the union of the soul with Jesus Christ, and how she is prepared, by the merits of the Saints, to be an agreeable abode for her God.

As Gertrude reflected on different instances of instability, she turned to God, and said: "It is my only desire to be united to Thee alone, My Beloved". The Lord, inclined toward her and embracing her tenderly, said: And it is always sweet to Me to be united to thee, My beloved. As He said these words, all the Saints arose and offered their merits before the throne of God for her soul, that it might become more worthy of being His abode. Then she knew how prompt God is in inclining toward the soul that calls upon Him, and with what joy all the blessed contribute their merits to supply for our unworthiness.

The Saint then exclaimed, in the fervor of her desires: "I salute Thee, my most loving Lord, although I am but a vile and abject creature." And she received this reply from the sweetest mercy of God: And I salute you also in return, My beloved spouse. By this she knew that each time a soul says to God: "My Beloved, my most dear Lord, my sweetest Jesus," or any other words which express her ardent devotion, He often replies to her in a manner which obtains for her a special privilege of grace in Heaven, like the special glory which St. John the Evangelist obtained on earth of being called "the disciple whom Jesus loved".

Chapter 26. Of the merit of a good will, and instructions on some words of the Divine Office.

At the Mass Veni et ostende, the Lord appeared to St. Gertrude, full of sweetness and grace, breathing forth a holy and vivifying odor, and pouring forth from the august throne of His glory the influences of His love for the sweet Feast of His Nativity.

Then, the Saint having prayed Him to enrich all who had been recommended to her prayers with special grace, He said to her: I have given to each a tube of pure gold, of which such is the virtue, that by it they may draw forth all they need from My sacred Heart. By this mystic tube she understood that good will by which men may acquire all the spiritual riches which are in Heaven and on earth. For example: if anyone, burning with the fire of pure and holy desires, endeavors to give God as much thanks and praise and as many testimonies of service and fidelity as certain of His Saints have rendered to Him, the infinite goodness of God regards this good will as if it had really been effected. But this tube becomes more brilliant than gold when men thank God for having given them so noble and elevated a will, that they might have acquired infinitely greater advantages by it than the whole world could bestow.

She knew, also, that all her sisters who surrounded Jesus Christ received Divine grace by similar tubes. Some appeared to receive it directly from the Heart of Jesus Christ, others from His Hands; but the farther from His Heart they drew these graces, the more difficulty they had in obtaining them; whereas those who drew them from His Divine Heart obtained them more easily, more sweetly and more abundantly. Those who drew directly from His sacred Heart represented those persons who conform themselves entirely to the Divine Will, who desire above all things that this Will should be accomplished in them, both in regard to spirituals and temporals. And these persons touch the Heart of God so powerfully, and render it so favorable to them at the time that God has determined, that they receive the torrent of Divine sweetness with as much abundance and pleasure as they have abandoned themselves perfectly to His holy Will. But those who endeavor to acquire virtue according to their natural inclinations; and the fear and difficulty they experience is proportionate to the extent to which they have relied on their own judgment, and have failed to abandon themselves to Divine Providence.

§ 1. Of the Most perfect manner of offering our hearts to God.

As Gertrude offered her heart to God in the following manner - "Lord, behold my heart, which is detached from all creatures; I offer it to Thee freely, beseeching Thee to purify it in the sanctifying Waters of Thy adorable Side, and to adorn it with the Precious Blood of Thy sweetest Heart, and to unite with it to Thee by the odors of charity" - Our Lord appeared to her, and offered her heart to His Eternal Father, united to His own, under the form of a chalice, the two parts of which were joined together by wax. The Saint, perceiving this, said, with extreme fervor: "Grant me the grace, most loving Lord, that my heart may be always before Thee like the flasks which princes use, so that Thou mayest have it cleansed and filled and emptied, according to Thy good pleasures, whenever and however Thou willest." This request being heard favorably by the Son of God, He said to His Father: Eternal Father! May this soul pour forth for Thy infinite glory what Mine contains in My Humanity! And from that moment, whenever the Saint offered her heart to God, saying the words above mentioned, it seemed to her so filled, that it poured itself forth in thanksgiving and praises, augmenting the joy of the blessed in Heaven, and contributing to the adornment of the just on earth, as will be seen hereafter. From this moment the Saint knew that God willed her to commit to writing what He had revealed to her, that it might be for the benefit of many.

§ 2. Of confidence in God, and of reparation for the contempts offered to Him.

In Advent, by the response Ecce venit, she knew that if anyone formed in their heart, with a firm purpose, a perfect desire of submitting in all things to the adorable Will of God, alike in prosperity as in adversity, they would, by His grace, render the same honor to God by this thought as if they crowned Him with a royal diadem.

And by these words of the Prophet Isaiah: "Arise, arise! stand up, O Jerusalem;" she understood the advantage which the Church Militant receives from the devotion of the elect. For when a soul, full of love, turns to God with her whole heart, and with a perfect will of repairing, were it possible, all this dishonor done to Jesus Christ, she appeases His anger by her loving charity, so that He is willing to pardon the sins of the whole world.

By the words, "That hast drunk the cup of His wrath even to the bottom" (cf, Is. 51:17), may be understood how she has averted the severity of Divine Justice. But by the following words, "That hast drunk even to the dregs", she knew that the reprobate have the dregs of this chalice for their portion, and can never obtain redemption.

§ 3. Of refraining from useless words.

By these words of Isaiah, "Thou dost not thy own ways, and thy own will is not found to speak a word" (is 58:13), she knew that he who regulates his words and actions thoughtfully, and abstains even from those that are lawful when they are not necessary, will obtain a triple advantage: first, he will find a greater pleasure in God, according to these words, "Thou shalt be delighted in the Lord"; secondly, bad thoughts will have less power over for him, for it is said, "I will lift thee above the high places of the earth;" and thirdly, in eternity the Son of God will communicate the merits of His most holy life more abundantly to him than to others, because by it he has been victorious over every temptation and gained a glorious victory, as these words express: "I will feed thee with the inheritance of Jacob thy father." (Is. 58:14).

God made known to her also by these words, "Behold, his reward is with him" (Is. 40:10), that Our Lord Himself, by His love is the reward of His elect: and He insinuates Himself into their souls with such sweetness, that they may truly say they are rewarded beyond all their deserts. "And his work is before him:" that is to say, when we abandon ourselves entirely to Divine Providence, and seek only the accomplishment of the Will of God in all things, grace has already rendered us perfect in the sight of God.

By these words," Be ye holy, children of Israel," Gertrude learned that those who repent promptly of the sins they have committed and set themselves with a sincere heart to keep the commandments of God, are as truly sanctified and as promptly cured as the leper to whom Our Lord said: "I will: be thou made clean." By the words, "Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle" (Ps, 149:1), she knew that he sings a new canticle who sings with devotion, because, when he has received the grace from God to understand what he sings, his chant becomes agreeable to God.

§ 4. God sends afflictions to cure our souls.

By the words, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me....He hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart" (Is. 61), she understood that the Son of God, having been sent by His Father to heal contrite hearts, was accustomed to send some affliction to His elect, even if it should be only exterior, in order to heal them. But when this happens, He does not always deliver them from the affliction which has made them contrite, because it is not hurtful to them; for He prefers to cure that which might cause them eternal death.

By the words, In splendoribus sanctorum - "In the brightness of the saints"(Ps. 109:3), she knew that the light of the Divinity is so great and so incomprehensible, that even if each Saint who has lived or who will live from the time of Adam to the end of the world, were given a special knowledge of it, as clear, as elevated, and as extended as could be given to any creature, so that none should be able to explain it to the other, nor to share in their knowledge - even should the number of Saints be a thousand times greater than it is - the Divinity would still remain infinitely beyond their conception. Thus it is not written splendore, but in splendoribus - "In the brightness [plu.] of Thy saints; from the womb, before the day - star, I begot Thee."

§ 5. How we must carry our cross after Jesus Christ, and how the mercy of God chastises the elect.

At Antiphon Qui vult - "If any man will come after Me, let him take up his cross and follow Me" (cf, Matt, 16) - Gertrude beheld Our Lord walking on a road which seemed pleasant because of the beauty of the verdure and flowers which covered it, but which nevertheless was narrow, and rough with thorns. Then she beheld a cross which went before Him, and separated the thorns from one another, making the road wider and more easy; while the Savior turned to those who came after Him, and encouraged them, looking at them with a sweet and loving countenance, and saying Let him that will come after Me, take up his cross, and deny himself, and follow Me". By this she knew that our temptations are our crosses. For example: it is a cross to one person to be obliged by obedience to do what she dislikes; to another to be restrained. Now, each ought so to carry his cross as to be willing to suffer with a good heart all that crosses him, and yet to neglect nothing which he thinks may be for the glory of God.

As they chanted this verse, "The words of the wicked have prevailed over us" (Ps, 64), she knew that when anyone who had sinned through human frailty is too severely reprehended for it by another, this excessive severity draws down the mercy of God on him, and increases his merit.

As they sung the Salve Regina, at the words, "Turn on us those merciful eyes of thine" as the Saint desired that Our Lord would cure her of a bodily infirmity, He said to her, with sweet familiarity: Do you not know that I look on you with eyes of mercy whenever you suffer any pain of body or mind?

On another occasion, as they sung the words Gloriosum sanguinem ("glorious blood") on the Feast of some Martyrs, she knew that even as blood, which naturally inspires a feeling of horror when considered in itself, is nevertheless praised in Scripture when it is poured forth for Jesus Christ, so omission of religious duties, from charity or obedience, are so agreeable to God, that they may be justly termed glorious. She knew also, on another occasion that God by a secret dispensation of His judgments, sometimes permits sinners to receive a reply which serves only to harden them in their obstinacy, when they seek by artifice to ascertain from the elect what is hidden from them. Even as the Prophet Ezekiel writes: "He that shall place his uncleannesses in his heart, and set up the stumbling block his iniquity before his face, and shall come to the prophet, inquiring of Me by him; I, the Lord, will answer him according to the multitude of his uncleannesses" (Ezech 14:4).

§ 6. That without the consent of the will we do not sin, and how we are obliged to reprove evildoers.

As they sung these words in honor of St. John, Haurit virus hic letale, she understood that, as the virtue of faith preserved John from the poison, so the action of the will which resists sin preserves the soul pure, however mortal the venom may be which glides into the heart against its will. By the versicle Dignare, Domine, she knew that when man has recourse to God, and beseeches Him to preserve him from sin, even though he should seem afterwards, by a secret permission of Providence, to fall into some considerable fault, his fall nevertheless will not be nearly so great as it would otherwise have been, and the grace of Jesus Christ will so sustain him that he will easily repent.

When they chanted the Response Benedicens, she stood demanding the benediction in the person of Noah. In receiving it, the Lord in His turn seemed to ask hers. By this she understood that man blesses God when he repents for having offended his Creator, and when he asks His help to avoid sin for the future. By the words, Ubi est (Gen4), she knew that the Lord would demand an account from every religious of the sins which her neighbor had committed, and which she might have prevented, either by warning the person herself or by informing her superior; and that the excuse of those who say, "It is not my place to correct others"; or "I am as bad as they are," will be no more accepted by God than the words of Cain: "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Gen 4:9).

For each is obliged before God to turn his brother from sin, and to assist him to advance in virtue; and he who neglects this duty against his conscience offends God. It is useless for him to pretend that he has received no commission, for his own conscience will teach him that God requires it from him; and if he neglects it, God will demand an account from him even more strictly than from a superior who was absent when the evil was committed, or who did not notice it when present. Thus we find these words in Scripture: "Woe to him who sins, but a double woe to him who assists in sin". We make ourselves guilty of the sin of others, if we consent to it by concealing it when we might procure glory to God by discovering it.

§ 7. They who labor for the advancement of religion are rewarded as if they had clothed the Savior - Angels encompass the blest.

By the Response which commences Induit me, Gertrude learned that if he who labors by his works and by his words for the advancement of religion and the defense of justice, acts as if He clothed God Himself with a magnificent and sumptuous garment; and the Lord will recompense him in the life eternal, according to the riches of His royal liberality, by clothing him with a robe of gladness, and crowning him with a diadem of glory; but above all, that he who suffers for the promotion of good, or for religion, is as agreeable to God as a garment which warmed and covered him would be to a poor man; and that he who labors for the good of religion makes no progress on account of the obstacles he meets with, his reward will not be the less for this before God.

While they chanted the Response Vocavit angelus, she knew that the choirs of Angels, whose assistance is so powerful, surround the elect to defend them. But God, by His paternal Providence, sometimes suspends the effect of this protection, and permits the just to be tempted, that He may recompense them gloriously when they have gained a victory with less help from on high and from their Angels.

At the Response Vocavit angelus Domini Abraham, she learned that as Abraham satisfied the claims of obedience by raising his arm, and merited to be called by an Angel, so, when the elect bend their minds and their wills to perform any painful work for the love of God, they merit to taste at that moment the sweetness of grace, and to be consoled by the testimony of their own conscience. And this is a favor which the infinite liberality of God bestows even before those eternal recompenses which shall be given to each according to the measure of his works. As the Saint reflected on some trials which she had formerly suffered, she inquired of God why she had been thus tried by these persons. When the hand of a father wills to chastise his child, replied Our Lord, the rod cannot oppose itself. Therefore, I desire that My elect should never attribute their sufferings to those whom I should make use of to purify them; but rather let them cast their eyes on My paternal love, which would not allow even a breath of wind to approach them unless it furthered their eternal salvation; and therefore they should have compassion on those who stain themselves to purify them.

§ 8. Of offering our actions through the Son to the Eternal Father.

One day the Saint offered a painful duty to the Eternal Father, saying "Lord, I offer Thee this action through Thy only Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit, for Thy eternal Glory." And it was made known to her that this intention gave an extraordinary value and price to her work, and elevated it above a mere human action; and that this offering was very agreeable to God the Father. And even as objects appear green when seen through green glass, or red when seen through red glass, so all that is offered to the Eternal Father through His only Son becomes most pleasing and acceptable to Him.

§ 9. Of the utility of prayer when it does not produce sensible fruit.

Gertrude inquired of God what advantage some of her friends had gained by her prayers, since they did not seem better for them. The Lord instructed her by this comparison: When a child returns from visiting an emperor, who has enriched him with vast possessions and an immense revenue, those who behold him in the weakness of childhood little imagine the treasures of which he is in possession, although those who have been present are well aware how powerful and important his wealth will render him hereafter. Do not, therefore, be surprised if you do not see the fruits of your prayers with your bodily eyes, since I dispose of them, according to My eternal Wisdom, to greater advantage. And know that the more you pray for anyone, the happier they will become, because no prayer of faith can remain unfruitful, although we do not know in what manner it will fructify.

§ 10. Of the eternal recompense of directing our thoughts to God.

Gertrude desired to know what advantage there was in referring our thoughts to God, and she received this instruction: that when man raises his mind to Heaven by meditation or reflection, he presents, as it were, before the throne of God's glory a bright and shining mirror, in which the Lord beholds His own image with pleasure, because He is the Author and Dispenser of all good. And the more difficulty anyone finds in this elevation of soul, the more perfect and agreeable this mirror appears before the Most Holy Trinity and the Saints, and it will remain for the eternal glory of God and the good of this soul.

§ 11. That the adversity prevents occasion of sin, and of the good effects of a good will.

On a fast day, when the Saint was unable to chant from severe indisposition and headache, she inquired of God why He so often permitted these infirmities to visit her on festivals. Our Lord replied: It is to prevent you from dissipating yourself by the pleasures of the harmony of the chant, and so being less disposed to receive grace. "But", she inquired, "could not Thy grace prevent this misfortune?" To this Our Lord answered: It is a greater advantage to men to turn away occasions of falls by trials, because then they have a double-merit - that of patience and that of humility.

Once also the Saint exclaimed with ardor: "O my Savior! Why have I not found a fire sufficiently strong to melt my heart, so that I might pour it forth entirely into Thee?" Your will, replied the Lord, will be to you the fire which you desire. And from this she knew that by the effort of his will man may fully accomplish all that he desires to do for the glory of God.

As the Saint often sought by her prayers to obtain the extinction of all vices, both in herself and in others, it appeared to her that this favor could only be obtained by the removal of inclination to evil, so that the soul should be enabled to resist evil as easily as she is inclined to it. But she perceived the admirable wisdom of Divine Providence for the salvation of mankind, which for the increase of our eternal glory, permits us to combat with our vices that we may be crowned more gloriously in Heaven.

§ 12. Of the effects of Divine love.

Having heard a preacher declare that no person could be saved without the love of God, and that all must at least have so much of it as would lead them to repent and to abstain from sin, the Saint began to think that many when dying, seemed to repent more from the fear of Hell than from the love of God. Our Lord replied: When I behold anyone in his agony who has thought of Me with pleasure, or who has performed any works deserving of reward, I appear to him at the moment of death with a countenance so full of love and mercy, that he repents from his inmost heart for having ever offended Me, and he is saved by this repentance. I desire, therefore, that My elect should acknowledge this mercy by thanksgivings, and that they should praise Me for this amongst the great number of benefits which they receive from Me.

Once, also, as Gertrude meditated in her own sinfulness and depravity, she began to marvel how she could be agreeable in the sight of God, who must behold a thousand imperfections where she saw only one. But Our Lord consoled her by this reply: Love makes all agreeable. And she learned that if on earth love has such power that it makes even deformity pleasing, how much more easily can that of God who is Love render those pleasing to Himself by love whom He loves!

§ 13. The merit of conforming one's will to God for life or death.

As the Saint desired, like the Apostle, to be dissolved and to be with Christ, and poured forth many sighs to God for this end, she was consoled by this reply: Whenever anyone desires with all their heart to be delivered from the prison of the body, and yet, at the same time, is perfectly willing to remain therein so long as it shall please God, Jesus Christ unites the merit of His adorable life to theirs, which renders them marvelously perfect in the sight of the Eternal Father.

§ 14. That God does not always expect a full return for the graces He bestows, and of the value of fervent desires.

As the Saint reflected on the little profit she had gained, either for herself or for others from the many graces which had been bestowed on her, she was consoled by this assurance: "That God does not bestow His graces on His elect in such a manner as to expect a perfect return, as human frailty often prevents this; but His excessive liberality cannot contain itself, though He knows that man cannot exercise himself in all; nevertheless, He continually communicates new graces of supererogation, in order to raise him thereby to the highest blessedness in the world to come. And even as wealth is bestowed on a child so that he may profit by it hereafter, though he knows not as yet the value of it, so the Lord communicates His grace to His elect in this life, that He may amass treasures for them, the enjoyment of which will render them happy in Heaven."

§ 15. Our Lord prefers suffering without devotion to devotion without suffering.

On another occasion, as the Saint grieved in her heart that she could not form as ardent desires for the glory of God as she wished to do, she was taught by God that He is perfectly satisfied with our desires when we are not able to do more; and that they are great in proportion to our desire that they should be great. When, therefore, the heart forms a desire, or wishes to have a desire, God takes the same pleasure in abiding therein as men do in dwelling where flowers are budding forth in the spring time. Once also, when she found herself negligent and distracted from infirmity, and, entering into herself, began to confess her faults to Our Lord with humble devotion - though she feared that it would be long before she should recover the sweetness of Divine grace of which she had been deprived - the infinite mercy of God was moved toward her, and He said to her: My daughter, thou hast been always with Me, and all that I have is thine. Then she knew by these words, that when, through frailty , we fail to refer our intentions to God, His mercy still esteems our will worthy of eternal recompense, provided only that our will has not strayed from Him, and that we often makes acts of contrition for our sins.

As the Saint felt an illness coming on her immediately before a festival, she desired that Our Lord would preserve her health until it was over, or at least permit her to have sufficient strength to assist at it; still, she abandoned herself entirely to the Will of God. Then she received this reply from the Lord: In asking Me these things, and at the same time in submitting entirely to My Will, you lead Me into a garden of delights, enameled with flowers, which is most agreeable to Me. But I know that if I grant what you ask, and allow you to assist at these services, I shall be obliged to follow you into the place which pleases you; whereas, if I refuse you this, and you still continue patient, you will follow Me into the place which I prefer, because I find more pleasure in you if form good intentions in a state of suffering, than if you have devotion accompanied by pleasure.

§ 16. The pleasure of the senses deprives of spiritual pleasures.

As the Saint one day reflected on the arrangements of Providence, by which some are filled with consolation, while others experience only dryness, God made known to her that He had created the human heart to contain pleasure, as a vase contains water. But if this vase lets out the water by little holes, it soon becomes empty; or if any water remains, it will eventually dry up. So, if the human heart, when filled with spiritual delights, pours itself out through the bodily senses, by seeing, hearing ect., it will at last become empty, and incapable of tasting the pleasures which are found in God, as each may know by his own experience. If we give a glance or say a word without reflection, it passes away like water emptied from a vessel. But if we do ourselves violence for the love of God, celestial sweetness will so increase in our hearts that they will seem too small to contain it. Thus, when we learn to restrain the pleasures of the senses, we begin to find pleasure in God, and the more this victory costs us, the more joy we find in God.

Once, as the Saint was exceedingly troubled about a matter of little consequence, and offered her trouble to God, for His eternal glory, at the moment of the Elevation, it seemed to her that Our Lord drew her soul by the Host as if by a ladder, until He made it repose on His bosom, and then He spoke thus lovingly to her: In this sacred couch you shall be exempt from every care; but whenever you leave it, your heart will be filled with a bitterness as an antidote against evil.

§ 17. Of the caresses with which God favors a faithful soul, and of the esteem we ought to have for patience.

Gertrude, finding herself one day depressed by weakness, said to God: "Lord, what will become of me, and what dost Thou design to do with me"? I will comfort you, He replied, even as a mother comforts her child. He added: Have you never seen a mother caress her child? As she did not reply, because she did not remember a circumstance of the kind, Our Lord showed her a mother whom she had beheld caressing a little child about six months before, and He made her notice three things which she had not observed.

First, that this mother often offered to embrace this child, and that the child rose up to come to her, though still weak and frail. He added that thus she ought to rise up by the love of contemplation to the enjoyment of the Adorable Object of her love.

Secondly, that the mother often tried her child, asking him would he have this or that, and yet not giving him what she offered. Thus God sometimes tempts man be allowing him to fear afflictions which never happen; and yet, if he submits freely, God is satisfied with his resignation, and it obtains an eternal reward for him.

Thirdly, that none of those who were present except the mother: understood what the child said, because he could not speak plainly. Thus God alone knows and understands the intentions of men, and judges them accordingly; in which He acts very differently from their fellow creatures, who only consider the exterior.

Gertrude inquired one day of Our Lord how He desired her to employ her time at that hour. I will that you should learn patience, He replied, for at the time she was very much disquieted. "But", she replied, "how and by what means, can I learn it?" Then Our Lord, like a charitable master who takes up his little scholars in his arms, began to teach her three different letters by which she might learn patience. Consider, He said, in the first place, how a king honors those who are most like him with his friendship; and learn from this how the love which I bear you is increased when, for love of Me, you suffer contempts like those which I endured. Secondly, consider how much the court respects him who is most like the king, and is most intimate with him: and judge from what this glory is prepared for you in Heaven as the reward of your patience. Thirdly, consider what consolation the tender compassion of a faithful friend gives to his friend, and learn from this what compassion I feel in Heaven for even the least thought which afflicts you here.

Chapter 27. Why God is pleased by images of Jesus crucified.

On the return of the community from a procession which had been ordered for fine weather, Gertrude heard the Son of God speak thus to His Father from a crucifix which had been carried before the procession: Eternal Father, I come with My whole army to supplicate You, under the same form in which I reconciled You to the human race. And these words were received by the Eternal Father with as much complacence as if a satisfaction had been offered to Him which surpassed a thousand times all the sins of men. Then she beheld God the Father taking up the image of the crucifix into the clouds with these words: This is a sign of the covenant which I have made with the earth. (Gen. 9).

On another occasion, when the people were suffering exceedingly from the inclemency of the weather, the Saint often implored the mercy of God with others, but without effect. At last she addressed her Lord thus: "O charitable Lord, how canst Thou so long resist the desires of so many persons, since I, who am so unworthy of Thy goodness, have often obtained much more considerable favors merely by the confidence I have in Thee?" Why be surprised, replied Our Lord, that a father should allow his son to ask him repeatedly for a crown, if he laid by a hundred marks of gold for him each time the request was made? Neither should you be surprised if I defer answering your petition; because each time that you implore My aid by the least word, or even in thought, I prepare a recompense for you in eternity of infinitely greater value than a hundred marks of gold.

Chapter 28. Of spiritual thirst for God, and of the utility of sufferings.

While the Psalm Sicut cervi was chanted in the Office for the Dead, Gertrude, hearing these words, My soul thirsteth, endeavored to reanimate her fervor, and said to Our Lord: "Alas, Lord, how feeble are the desires I have for Thee, Who art my true and only Good, and how seldom I can say to Thee, My soul thirsteth for Thee!" You tell Me, replied Our Lord, not seldom, but without ceasing, that your soul thirsteth after Me; for the exceeding love which makes Me seek the salvation of men obliges Me also to believe that in all the good which My elect desire Me, because all good proceeds from Me. For example: if anyone desires health, rest, wisdom, conveniences, or any other advantages, My goodness often makes believe it is Me whom they seek in these things, that I may give them a greater reward; unless they deliberately turn their intention from Me, as by desiring wisdom that they may satisfy their pride, or health that they may commit some sin. And it is for this reason that I am accustomed to afflict those who are dearest to Me with corporal infirmities, with mental depression, and other trials, so that when they desire the goods which are opposed to these evils, the ardent love of My Heart may reward them with greater profusion.

Gertrude also learned that "He whose delight is to be with the children of men" (Prov 8: 31), when He finds nothing in them worthy of His presence, sends them sufferings either of body or mind, that He may be able to abide with them, as Holy Scripture says: "The Lord is nigh unto those that are of a contrite heart" (Ps 33:19); and, "I am with him in tribulation." (Ps. 90:15). Let such considerations excite our gratitude, and teach us to exclaim, with the Apostle, and with the whole affection of our souls: "Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are His judgments, and how unsearchable His ways!" (Rom, 11:33) - which He has discovered to save men.

One night, while the Saint was sleeping, Our Lord visited her with so much sweetness, and she felt so consoled with His Divine presence, that it seemed to her as if she had been refreshed by some delicious feast. When she awoke, she returned thanks to God, exclaiming: "How have I merited this, my Lord and my God, more than others, who are so often tormented by horrible dreams, that their very cries terrify those who hear them?" Our Lord replied: When those persons whom I have determined to sanctify by suffering seek bodily comforts while they are awake, and thus deprive themselves of occasions of merit, I, in My love, send them sufferings during their sleep, that they may have an opportunity of acquiring merit. "But Lord", replied the Saint, "how can they merit by this when they suffer without any intention, and against their will?" It is an effect of My mercy, replied Our Lord; for the same things happens to these persons as to those who adorn themselves with waxen ornaments, and who appear well attired, although those who wear gold and precious stones are esteemed more wealthy.

Chapter 29. How insidious are the snares of the demon, and especially when we chant.

As Gertrude recited her Hours without much attention, she perceived our ancient enemy mocking her at the Psalm Mirabilia, (Ps. 119) cutting each word short and then exclaiming: "Your Creator, your Savior and your Redeemer has well bestowed on you the gift of speech, since you can recite so glibly that even in a single Psalm you have omitted so many letters, so many syllables and so many words!" She knew from this, that if this treacherous enemy had counted so exactly even the least letter of syllable of the Psalm which she had omitted or uttered carelessly, what terrible accusations he would bring after death against those who were in the habit of reciting their Office hurriedly, without any intention.

On another occasion, as the Saint was occupied in spinning wool, she allowed some little tufts to fall on the ground, thinking only of recommending her work to God with great fervor. In the meanwhile she perceived the demon busily occupied in gathering up the tufts, as if for a testimony of her fault; but the Saint invoked the assistance of the Lord, who chased away the evil spirit with indignation, for daring to interfere in a work which had been recommended to God at its commencement.

Chapter 30. That our prayers are certainly heard, even though we do not perceive their effect; and how to supply for our unworthiness in approaching Holy Communion through the merits of Jesus Christ and His saints.

One day, as Gertrude felt herself enkindled with extraordinary desires, she said: "Lord, may I pray to Thee now?" You may, My beloved one, He replied tenderly, because I will comply with your will in all things, as a servant would obey the commands of his master. "I am well assured" replied the Saint, "O God, full of charity, that Thy words are always true; but since Thou dost manifest such condescension towards me, although I am so unworthy of it, whence comes it that my prayers she so often remain without effect?" Our Lord replied: If a queen desires her servant to give her some thread, which she supposes, because she is unable to see behind, is hanging from her left shoulder, and he finds it at her right, does he not equally fulfill her intention if he hands it to her from the place he finds it in, as if it were from the place she supposed it to be? So also, if in My inscrutable wisdom I do not hear your prayers exactly as you desire, I do so in a manner more useful for you, though human frailty prevents you from seeing this.

As the Saint was about to communicate on one occasion, she felt grieved that she not made sufficient preparation, and she besought the Blessed Virgin and all the Saints to offer to God for her all the dispositions which each had entertained in receiving the various graces which had been granted to them. She then besought Our Lord Jesus Christ that He would be pleased also to offer for her the perfection with which He appeared on the day of His Ascension, when He presented Himself to God the Father and entered into eternal glory. Afterwards she desired to know of what avail this prayer had been to her, and Our Lord replied: It has enabled you to appear before the whole court of Heaven with all the ornaments you have desired. He added: Why should you distrust Me, who am all powerful and all merciful, since there is not one upon the earth who could not clothe his friend in his own ornaments and garments, and thereby make him appear as gloriously attired as himself?

As she remembered afterwards that she had promised to communicate that day for some persons who had recommended themselves to her prayers, she besought God with great fervor to grant them the fruit of this Sacrament, and received this reply: I will grant them this favor: but I leave it to their free will to avail themselves of it as they wish. She then inquired how these souls should be prepared to receive this grace, and Our Lord answered: Whenever, from this time, they turn to Me with a pure heart and a perfect will, invoking the assistance of My grace, if only by a single word or the least sigh, they will immediately appear clothed with the ornaments that you have obtained for them by your prayers.

Chapter 31. Of the advantages of frequent Communion, and of receiving the holy Viaticum.

Once also, as the Saint was about to communicate she said: "O Lord, what wilt Thou give me?" I will give Myself to thee entirely, He replied, "with all the virtue of My Divinity, even as My Virgin Mother received Me. "But what shall I gain by this?" inquired Gertrude," more than persons who received Thee yesterday with me, and who will not receive Thee today, since Thou dost always give Thyself entirely and without reserve?" Our Lord replied: If people in the world honor one who has been a consul twice more than a person who has only once filled that office, how shall he fail of greater glory in eternity who has received Me more frequently on earth? Then she exclaimed sighing: "How far above me in beatitude will those priests be who communicate every day to fulfill their ministry!" It is true, relied Our Lord, that those who celebrate worthily shall shine in great glory; but the love of him who commincates with pleasure should be judged of very differently from the exterior magnificence which appears in this mystery. There will be one reward for him who approaches with fear and reverence; and another for him who is very diligent in his preparation. But those who habitually celebrate through custom only, shall have no share in My gifts.

As the Saint prayed that God would permit her to receive the holy Viaticum as her last nourishment immediately before her death, she was informed interiorly that her desire was not a good one; for the effect of the Sacrament could not be lessened by the trifling refreshment taken in sickness, merely to preserve life, for the glory of God. Everything good in man is ennobled by participation in the Sacrament which unites him to God; but particularly at the moment of death, after he has received the Bread of Life, he may merit by all that he does with a pure intention, such as performing acts of patience, eating, drinking ect., by which he accumulates eternal beatitude from his union with the Body of Christ.

Chapter 32. How God corrects the past negligences of a soul who loves Him, and remedies those which may occur in future.

On a Feast of the Blessed Virgin, on which Gertrude had received some special and admirable gifts, she began to enter into herself, and considering her ingratitude and negligence, she became dejected, because she had shown so little devotion towards the Mother of God, and the Saints who were honored on that day, on account of the singular favors which they had received. But Our Lord, desiring to console her, with His ordinary goodness said to His Blessed Mother and the Saints: Have I not satisfied for her by communicating Myself to her with all the sweetness of My Divinity in your presence? They replied: The goodness with which Thou hast supplied what she owed to us truly surpasses all our merits. Then Our Lord conversed sweetly with this soul, and said: Are you satisfied with this reparation? "I should be so indeed, my God, " she answered; "but one thing is wanting to me; I fear now (that) my past negligences are effaced, that I shall begin to commit new ones - I am so inclined to evil". He replied: I will give Myself to you in so efficacious a manner, that I will efface entirely, not only the faults which you have committed; only be careful to preserve yourself from any stain of sin after you have received the most holy Sacrament. As He said these things, she replied: "Alas Lord, I fear that I shall not even fulfill this duty as I ought: therefore, O most charitable of all Masters, teach me, I beseech Thee, how I may purify myself from the stains which I may contract." He replied, Do not allow them to remain long in you, but as soon as you perceive them say, with all the fervor of your heart: Lord have mercy on me! or, Jesus Christ, Who art my only hope, grant that all my sins may be effaced by the merit of Thy saving Death!"

The Saint then approached to receive the Body of Christ, and she perceived that her soul had become as clear as transparent crystal, and that the Divinity of Jesus Christ, whom she had just received, was miraculously encased therein like gold shining through the crystal, and producing such sweet, amazing and inconceivable effects, that the adorable Trinity and all the Saints were thereby filled with joy. From this we may know that every spiritual loss can be repaired by worthily receiving the Body of Christ. For in truth the effects produced in her soul by God were so excellent, that it appeared as if the whole celestial court testified that their greatest delight was to behold a soul in whom such marvels were performed.

The promise which God made her in regard to her future faults must be understood thus: that as one sees equally well on every side an object which is contained in crystal, so also the Divine operations were seen in this soul, unless they were obscured by the cloud of sin, for this alone could prevent their being discerned.

Chapter 33. Of the value and importance of spiritual Communion.

This holy spouse of Jesus Christ had usually an extreme and ardent desire to receive the Body of Christ, and it happened that once, when she prepared for Communion with more than ordinary devotion, she found herself so weak on Sunday night, that she feared she would not be able to communicate: but, according to her usual custom, she consulted her Lord, to know what would be most pleasing to Him. He replied: Even as a spouse who was already satisfied with a variety of viands would prefer remaining near his bridge to sitting at table with her, so would I prefer that you should deprive yourself of Communion through holy prudence, on this occasion, rather than approach it. "And how, my loving Lord can You say that You are thus satisfied?" The Lord replied: By your moderation in speech, by your guard over your senses, by all your desires, by all your prayers, by all the good dispositions with which you have prepared to receive My adorable Body and Blood - these are to Me as the most delicious food and refreshment.

When she came to Mass, though still in a state of extreme weakness, and had prepared for spiritual Communion, she heard the sound of a bell announcing the return of a priest who had gone to a village to give Communion to a sick person."O Life of my soul!" She exclaimed: "how gladly would I receive Thee spiritually if I had time to prepare myself worthily!" The looks of My Divine Mercy, replied the Lord, will impart to you the necessary preparations; and at the same time it seemed to the Saint that the Lord cast a look upon her soul like a ray of sunlight, saying: "I will fix my eyes upon thee" (ps.31). From these words she understood that the look of God produced three effects in our souls similar to those that the sun produces in our bodies, and that the soul ought to prepare in three ways to receive it. First, the glance of Divine mercy searches the soul, and purifies it from every stain, making it whiter than snow; and we obtain this favor by a humble acknowledgement of our defects. Secondly, this look of mercy softens the soul and prepares it to receive spiritual gifts, even as wax is softened by the heat of the sun, and becomes capable of receiving any impression; and the soul acquires this by a pious intention. Thirdly, the glance of Divine mercy on the soul makes it fruitful in the different flowers of virtue, even as the sun produces and ripens different sorts of fruit; and the third effect is obtained by a faithful confidence, which causes us to abandon ourselves entirely to God, confiding assuredly in the superabundance of His mercy, believing that all things will contribute to our eternal welfare, whether they appear favorable or adverse. Then, as some of the community commincated at Mass, Our Divine Lord appeared to give Himself to each with His own Hand, making the Sign of the Cross as the priest does; the Saint, marveling at this, said to Him, "Lord, have not those who have received Thee in this Sacrament obtained greater grace than I, whom Thou hast gratuitously favored with so many benefits? " Who is esteemed most worthy, replied Our Lord, he who is adorned with pearls and precious stones, or he who has an immense treasure of pure gold hidden in his house? making her understand by these words that while he who communicates sacramentally receives without doubt immense grace, both spiritually and corporally, as the Church believes, still he who abstains from receiving the Body of Christ through obedience and holy discretion, and purely for the glory of God, and who, being inflamed with Divine love, communicates spiritually, merits to receive a benediction like that given to the Saint, and obtain from God more abundant fruit, although the order and secret of this conduct is entirely hidden from the eyes of men.

Chapter 34. Of the utility of meditating on the Passion of our Lord, and how He offers Himself to the Eternal Father in satisfaction for our sins.

On a certain Friday, in the evening, Gertrude cast her eyes on a crucifix, and, being penetrated with grief, she exclaimed: "Ah my Creator and my Beloved, what cruelties hast Thou not suffered on this day for my salvation, while I alas, have been so occupied that I have not devoutly recalled what Thou didst suffer for me each hour, when Thou, Who art the Life which vivifies all things, didst will to die for love of me". To which Our Lord answered from the Cross: I have supplied what you neglect, for I have accumulated each hour in My Heart what you ought to have accumulated in your heart; in consequence, it is so inflamed with love, that I have ardently desired this hour in which you have addressed this prayer to Me, in union with which I will offer to God My Father all that I have done for you during this day, and without which even that could not be so advantageous for your salvation.

We may learn from this the faithful love of God toward man, since He satisfied His Eternal Father by a single intention which He excites in them, and this in so sublime and excellent a manner that it merits the everlasting praises of men.

As this Saint touched the crucifix devoutly, she learned that if anyone only looks on the image of the cross of Jesus Christ with a holy intention, God regards him with such goodness and mercy that he receives in his soul, as in a spotless mirror, an image which is so agreeable that the whole court of Heaven delights therein; and this serves to increase his eternal glory in the life to come in proportion as he has practiced this act of devotion in this life.

On another occasion she learned that when anyone turns towards a crucifix, he ought to persuade himself that Our Lord speaks thus lovingly to his heart: "Behold how, for your love, I have been fastened to this cross, naked, despised, torn and wounded in My Body, and in all My Members; and still My Heart has such tender charity for you, that were it necessary for your salvation, and were there no other means of saving you, I would even at this moment suffer for you alone all that I have suffered for the whole world." By this reflection man ought to excite himself to gratitude, because it never happens that anyone looks at a crucix without a particular providence. There is no Christian, therefore who is not guilty, if he is so ungrateful as to neglect the adorable price of salvation since we can never look at a crucifix thoughtfully without receiving great benefit thereby.

On another occasion, as she occupied in considering the Passion of Our Lord, it was made known to her that there is infinitely more merit in meditating attentively on the Passion of Jesus than in any other exercise. For as it is impossible to handle flour without attaching it to yourself, so also it is impossible to meditate devoutly on the Passion of the Lord without deriving great fruit thereby. And when anyone reads anything concerning the Passion, they at least dispose their souls to receive the fruit of it, as it is more meritorious to meditate in it than on any subject. Let us, then, endeavor to reflect constantly on it, that it may be honey to our lips, music to our ears, and joy to our hearts.

As the Saint endeavored to choose, among the different favors which Our Lord had bestowed upon her, the graces which would be most for the benefit of others, if revealed to them, Our Lord spoke thus to her: It is most advantageous to men to make known to them that it would be of extreme utility to remember constantly that I, Who am the Son of the Virgin, stand before God the Father for the salvation of the human race, and that whenever they commit any fault in their hearts through human frailty, I offer My spotless Heart to the Eternal Father in satisfaction for them; when they sin by their actions, I offer my pierced Hands; and so regard to the other faults that they commit. Thus My innocence appeases Him, and disposes Him to pardon those who do penance for their faults. And therefore it is that I desire My elect should return to Me thanks whenever they have obtained pardon for their faults, because it is through Me that they have obtained it so easily.

Chapter 35. Of the bundle of myrrh, and how we should practise patience in adversity, according to the example of Christ.

One night a crucifix, which the Saint had near her bed, seemed to bow down towards her, and she exclaimed: "O my sweet Jesus, why dost Thou thus abase Thy Self? He replied: The love of My Divine Heart attracts Me to you. Then she took the image and placed it on her heart, caressing it tenderly, and saying: "A bundle of myrrh is my Beloved to me." (Cant. 1: 12); to which Our Lord replied, interrupting her: I will carry Him in my bosom; making her understand by this that we ought to hide in His adorable Passion all the pains we suffer, whether of the body or mind, as we would place a prop in a bundle of sticks. Thus those who are tempted to impatience by adversity should recall to mind the adorable patience of the Son of God, who was led like a meek lamb to the slaughter for our salvation, and never opened His mouth to utter the least word of impatience. And when anyone is disposed to revenge the ill that has been done to him, either in word or deed, he should endeavor to recall to himself with what peace of heart his beloved Jesus suffered, not rendering evil for evil, nor testifying the least resentment by His words, but, on the contrary, rewarding those who made Him suffer by redeeming them by His sufferings and His death; and thus let us endeavor, according to the example of Our Lord, to do good for evil. So also, if any one entertains a mortal hatred towards those who have offended him, he ought to remember the exceeding sweetness with which the Son of God prayed for His executioners, even when enduring the very torments of His Passion, and in agony of death praying for His crucifiers with these words: Father, forgive them, ect. (Lk 23:34); and in union with this love, let us pray for our enemies. Our Lord then said: Whoever hides his sufferings and adversities in the bouquet of My Passion, and joins them on to such of My sufferings as they seem most to resemble, he truly reposes in My bosom, and I will give him, to augment his merits, all that My singular charity has merited by My Patience and by My other virtues.

The Saint inquired: "How Lord, do You receive the special devotion which some have for the image of Your Cross?" Our Lord replied: It is very acceptable to Me; nevertheless, when those who have a special devotion to these representations of My Cross fail to imitate the example of My Passion, their conduct is like that of a mother who, to gratify herself and for her own honor, adorns her daughter with different ornaments, but refuses her harshly what she most desires to have. While this mother deprives her child of what she wishes for, the child cares little for all else that is given to her, because she knows it is done through pride, and not from affection. So all the testimonies of love, respect and reverence which are offered to the image of My Cross will not be perfectly acceptable to Me unless the examples of My Passion are also imitated.

Chapter 36. That devotion to the Passion of our Lord promotes union with God.

As Gertrude once sought, with some anxiety, for an image of the holy Cross, that she might often honor it for love of her Lord, she began to fear that this exterior exercise might hinder her from enjoying the interior favors of God. But Our Lord said to her: Fear not, My beloved; for this cannot hinder your spirituality, since I alone will occupy you; for I am not a little pleased with those who honor the image of My crucifixion very devoutly; and as it often happens that, when a king has a spouse with whom he cannot always remain, he leaves one who is most dear to him to take charge of her in his absence, and regards all the duties of friendship and affection which she renders to him as if they had been offered to himself, because he knows that this proceeds from her love for him - so I take pleasure in the veneration offered to My Cross, when it is offered purely for My love - when the Cross is not desired for itself, but that it may serve to renew the memory of the love and fidelity with which I endured the bitterness of My Passion, and when there is an ardent desire to imitate the example of My Passion.

One night, as the Saint was occupied in meditating on the Passion, she found that the fervor of her zeal had affected her body, and caused an inflammation in the side; when she addressed herself thus to God: "Most sweet Love, if some persons knew what I now suffer they would think that I ought to interrupt this exercise, in order to recover my bodily health; although Thou knowest - Thou who beholdest clearly that which is most hidden with in me - that all my strength and my senses could not resist the most passing movement of Thy grace." To which Our Lord replied: Who could be ignorant of this, without altogether insensible that the sweetness of My Divinity surpasses incomparably all the pleasures of the flesh and the senses? Since all earthly and corporal pleasures is but as a drop of dew to this great ocean. And yet these sensible pleasures often draw men away irresistibly, though they know how they endanger, not only their bodies, but even their souls. How, then, should a soul penetrated with the sweetness of My Divinity be able to hinder itself from being carried away by the attractions of love which will constitute its eternal felicity?

She replied: "But perhaps they would say that, as I am professed in a religious Order, I ought to moderate the ardor of my devotion that it may not prove a hindrance to my observance of the rule". Then the Lord deigned to instruct her by this comparison: If a chamberlain had been placed at the table of a king, in order to serve his majesty with the respect due to him, and if this king, from age or infirmity, required one who stood by to support him, would it not be an extreme incivility if this chamberlain rose hastily and allowed his master to fall, because he had been so specially chosen to stand and serve at his table? So would it be far more uncourteous if one whom I called in My gratuitous mercy to the enjoyment of My contemplation should withdraw from it to satisfy the requirements of the Order in which he was professed; since I, the Creator and Framer of the universe, take infinitely more pleasure in loving souls, than in any labors and corporal exercises performed without love and without pure intention. But, if any person is not really called by My Spirit to repose of contemplation, and yet neglects the observance of his Rule to occupy himself therein, he is like those who place themselves at the table of the king without being invited, although they were only destined to serve at it. And, as a servant who sat at the king's table without being asked would receive contempt instead of honor, so he who neglects his Rule, and endeavors in his own strength to obtain the gift of contemplation, which none can obtain without a special gift from Me, would receive more disadvantage than profit; making no progress in what he has undertaken, and becoming tepid in his duty. But, as for him who, without any necessity, and merely for his bodily convenience, neglects the exercises of his Order, and seeks satisfaction in exterior things, he acts as one would do who, being destined to serve at the king's table, should go out to his stables and defile himself shamefully in cleansing them.

Chapter 37. Of the nails of sweet-smelling cloves * which the Saint, moved by love, put into the wounds of the crucifix instead of the iron nails, and of the gratitude which our Lord testified for this.

One Friday, when the Saint had spent the whole night in meditation, and had been prevented from sleeping by the ardor of her love, she remembered with what tenderness she had snatched the iron nails from a crucifix which she had always kept near her, and replaced them by nails of sweet - smelling cloves, and she said to God "My Beloved, how didst Thou accept my drawing the iron nails from the Sacred Wounds of Thy Hands and Feet, to place these cloves therein, which give an agreeable odor?" Our Lord replied: It was so agreeable to Me, that in return for it I pour forth the noble balsam of My Divinity into the wounds of your sins. And for this all the Saints will praise Me eternally; for your wounds, by the infusion of this liquor, will become agreeable. "But, Lord" inquired the Saint, "wilt Thou not grant the same grace to those who perform the same action?" Not to all, He replied; but those who do it with the same fervor will receive a similar reward; and those who following your example, do likewise with all the devotion of which they are capable, will receive a lesser recompense.

Gertrude then took the crucifix and clasped it in her arms kissing it tenderly, until she felt herself growing weak from her long vigil, when she laid it aside, and taking leave of her Spouse, asked His permission to go to rest, that she might recover her strength, which was almost exhausted by her long meditation. After she had spoken thus, she turned from the crucifix and composed herself to sleep. But as she reposed, Our Lord stretched forth His right Hand from the Cross to embrace her, and whispered these words to her: Listen to Me, My beloved; I will sing you a canticle of love. And then He commenced in a tender and harmonious voice, to sing the following verse to the chant of the hymn Rex Christe, factor omnium: Amor meus continuus. Tibi languor assiduus: Amor tuus suavissimus: Mihi sapor gratissimus."

Having finished the verse, He said: Now, My beloved, instead of the Kyrie eleison, which is sung at the end of each verse of the hymn Rex Christe, ask what you will, and I will grant it to you. The Saint then prayed for some particular intentions, and her prayers were favorably heard. Our Lord again chanted the same verse, and at the end again exhorted Gertrude to pray. This He repeated many times, at different intervals, not allowing her a moment's rest until she became completely exhausted. She then slept a little before day break: but the Lord Jesus who is always near those who love Him, appeared to her in her sleep. He seemed to prepare a delicious feast for her in the sacred Wounds of His adorable Side, and He Himself placed the food in her mouth in order to refresh her; so that when she woke, she found that she had been marvelously strengthened during her sleep, for which she returned most humble and ardent thanks to God.

Chapter 38. How we may remember the Passion of Christ, and proclaim the praises of the Virgin Mother of God, in reciting the Seven Canonical Hours.

One night, as Gertrude kept vigil, and was occupied with the remembrance of the Lord's Passion, as she felt much fatigued, although she had not yet recited Matins, she said to God: "Ah, my Lord, since Thou knowest that my weakness requires rest, teach me what honor and what service I can render to Thy Blessed Mother, now that it is not in my power to recite her Office. Glorify Me, replied Our Lord, through My loving Heart, for the innocence of that spotless virginity by which she conceived Me, being a virgin; brought Me forth, being a virgin; and still remained pure and spotless virgin after childbirth; imitating thus My innocence when I was taken at the hour of Matins for the redemption of the human race, and was bound, struck with rods, buffeted, and overwhelmed pitilessly with every kind of misery and opprobrium. While she did this, it appeared to her that the Lord presented His Divine Heart to the Most Holy Virgin His Mother, under the figure of a golden cup, that she might drink from it; and that, being satiated with this sweet beverage - or rather abundantly inebriated thereby - her very soul might be filled with exceeding gladness.

Then Gertrude praised the Blessed Virgin, saying to her: "I salute thee, Most Blessed Mother, august Sanctuary of the Holy Spirit, through the sweetest Heart of Jesus Christ, thy Beloved Son and the Son of the Eternal Father, beseeching thee to assist us in all our necessities, both now and in the hour of our death. Amen." She knew when anyone glorified the Lord in these words, and added in praise of the blessed Virgin, " I praise and salute thee, O mother," ect., at each time He presented her his divine Heart to satisfy her thirst in the manner above described, it gave exceeding satisfaction to the queen of Virgins to be saluted thus, and that she would recompense if according to the extent of her liberality and maternal tenderness .

Our Lord than added: "At the hour of Prime, praise Me, though My sweetest Heart, for the most peaceful humility with which the Immaculate Virgin disposed Her self and more to receive Me, and imitated the humility with which I, who am the judge of the living and the dead, willed at the same hour to submit myself to a gentile, to be judged by him for the redemption of mankind.

"At Terce, praise me for the fervent desires by which the Blessed Virgin drew me down into her Virginal whom from the blossom of my Eternal Father, and imitated Me in the ardor and zeal with which I desired the salvation of men, when, being torn with whips and crowed with thorns , I bore, at the third hour, a shameful and infamous Cross on My shoulders with extreme weakness and patience.

"At Sext, praise Me for the firm and assured hope with which this celestial Virgin thought only of glorifying Me by the purity of Her intentions; in which She imitated Me when I, being suspended on the Tree of the Cross, in all the bitterness and anguish of death, longed with My whole soul for the redemption of the human race, crying out, 'I thirst!'- that is, for the salvation of men; so that, it was necessary for Me to suffer more bitter or cruel torments I would willingly have borne them for the redemption.

"At None, praise Me for the ardent and mutual love which united My Divine Heart to that of the spotless a Virgin, and which united and inseparably conjoined my all glorious Divinity with my Humanity in Her chaste womb, Imitating Me in My mortal life until I expired on the Cross at the ninth hour for the salvation of men.

"At Vespers, Praise Me for the constant faith of My Blessed Mother at My death during the desertion of My Apostles, and the despair of all; in which She imitated the fidelity with which iIdescended into limbo after My death, that I might withdraw those souls by My all-powerful hand and mercy, and bring them to the joys of Paradise.

"At Compline, Praise Me for the incomparable perseverance with which My sweetness Mother preserved in every virtue even to the end, and imitated Me in the work of mans redemption, which I accomplished with so much care, that after I had obtained their perfect redemption by a most cruel death, I nevertheless allowed My incorruptible body to be laid in the tomb, to show that there is no degree of contempt or humiliation to which I would not submit the welfare of man."

Chapter 39. That we should give some token of our love to God after exterior occupations.

It was always a trial to the Saint to be obliged, even for a time, to occupy herself with exterior things; and often when this occurred she would rise suddenly in the fervor of her spirit, and, hastening to the place where she was accustomed to pray, would exclaim: "Behold Lord, how I am wearied with creatures! I would have no other companionship and no other conversation except Thine - I leave them all to seek Thee, sole and only Good and delight of my heart and soul." Then, kissing the Wounds of Christ five times, she would say each time: "Hail, Jesus, my loving Spouse! - I embrace Thee respectfully in the joy of the Divinity, with the whole universe, and with all the affection of which I am capable; and I embrace Thee in the Wounds of Thy love". Thus did she pour forth all her griefs into the Wounds of her Lord, and find therein all her consolation and all her joy.

As she frequently acted thus, she inquired one day of Our Lord if it were agreeable to Him, because it only occupied her for a few moments. Our Lord replied: Each time that you turn thus to Me, I accept it as a friend would accept kindness of his friend, who frequently through the day endeavored to show him the greatest hospitality by word and act. And even as such a person would consider how he could repay this kindness when his host came into his house, so do I reflect continually, with the greatest pleasure, how I shall repay you, and recompense you in glory, according to the royal liberality of My omnipotence, of My wisdom, and of My mercy, by testimonies of charity and sweetness multiplied a hundredfold, for each offering that you have made Me on earth.

Chapter 40. Of the effects of prayer in adversity.

Once, as the Community feared an armed attack upon their monastery, they recited the entire Psalter, and at the end of each psalm, the verse, "O Lux beatissima" with the Antiphon, "Veni Sancte Spiritus". Gertrude, who was praying fervently with her sisters, knew interiorly that Our Lord, by this prayer, had moved the souls of some by the Holy Spirit to perceive their negligences, and to repent. As they felt these movements of compunction, the Saint saw a kind of vapor exhaling from the hearts of those who were thus moved, which covered the monastery and the places around it, and drove away every enemy. And in proportion as the heart of each was moved to compunction and inclined to good, the vapor appeared more powerful in expelling evil. Thus she knew that this fear was designed by the Lord to draw to Himself the hearts of His elect congregation, that, being proved by affliction and purified from their negligences, they might take refuge under His paternal protection, and find more abundant succor and consolation. Having perceived this, she said to the Lord "Whence comes it, my loving Lord, that the revelations which Thou has made to me in Thy gratuitous mercy are so different from those which Thou hast made to others, that persons may often know them, although I so much desire to conceal them?" Our Lord replied, If a master, when questioned by persons who speak different languages, answered each in the one tongue, his discourse would only profit those who understood it; but if he speaks to each in his own tongue - in Latin to him who understands Latin and in Greek to him who understands Greek - then each can comprehend what is said. Thus the greater the diversity with which I communicate My gifts, the more My impenetrable wisdom is displayed which replies to each according to their comprehension and the understanding with which I have gifted them - speaking to the simple by plain and sensible parables, and to the enlightened in a more sublime and hidden manner.

Chapter 41. Prayer composed by Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, which He promised to hear favorably.

On a similar occasion, as the Community recited the Canticle Benedicite, (Dan. 3) adding to each verse prayers proper for the occasion, Gertrude perceived Our Lord standing before her; and at each verse which they recited, prostrate and imploring pardon, He appeared to raise His left arm, and offer her the Wound of His adorable Side to kiss. As the Saint embraced it several times, Our Lord testified that this mark of her love was extremely agreeable to Him. Then she said to Him: "Since I perceive, my most loving Lord, that Thou art pleased with this devotion, do me the favor of teaching me some little prayer which Thou wilt receive with a like charity, when it shall be addressed to Thee devoutly by anyone". Then she knew by inspiration, that if anyone shall say these words five times with devotion: "Jesus, Savior of the world, have mercy on me! - Thou to whom nothing is impossible, save to refuse mercy to o the wretched," or "O Christ, Who by Thy Cross hast redeemed the world, hear us!" or "Hail, Jesus, my loving Spouse! I salute Thee in the ineffable joys of Thy Divinity; I embrace Thee with the affection of all creatures and I kiss the Sacred Wound of Thy love"; or "The Lord is my strength and my glory: He is my salvation" - If these words are recited in honor of the Five Wounds of the Lord, kissing them devoutly, adding some prayers or good works, and offering them through the sweetest Heart of Jesus Christ, which is the organ of the Most Holy Trinity, they will be as acceptable to God as the most arduous devotion.

On another occasion, also, when they recited the same Canticle, Our Lord appeared to her, making burning flames, to pour forth from the crucifix which was usually exposed before the community, and sending them up to God for them; manifesting to her the excessive love and ardent desire of His Heart, when He interceded with His Father for the welfare of this congregation.

Chapter 42. How the just delight in God, and how God takes pleasure in them, especially when they commit all their good desires to Him.

On one occasion, when the Saint was prevented by illness from communicating, and she felt her devotion also languishing, she addressed herself thus to God: "O sweetness of my soul, knowing - alas, only too well - how unworthy I am to approach the Sacrament of the Body and Blood, I would abstain from Communion, if I could find consolation in any creature out of Thee; but since I can behold nothing from east to west, nor from north to south, in which i can find any consolation or pleasure, either for body or soul, except in Thee alone, and as i am parched and thirsty, and breathless from desire, i come to Thee, the fountain of living water ." Our Lord, in His benign love, replied thus:"As you assure Me that you can find no pleasure apart from Me, so i assure you also that I do not wish to find pleasure in any creature apart from you." But as the Saint reflected, that although the Lord had promised this at the time, still at some future period it might be otherwise, He answered her thoughts thus: "My will is the same as My power, and therefore i can do nothing except what i Will." "But , O most loving Lord," replied the Saint, "what subject of complacence canst Thou find in one who is the repulse and shame of all creatures?" "The eye of My Divinity," He replied, "takes extreme pleasure in regarding you, on account of the various great gifts which i have bestowed on you. Your words are as a concert of sweet music to My Divine ears, whether you utter them to offer Me your love, to pray for sinners or for the souls in Purgatory, to instruct or to correct others, or when you speak in any manner for My glory: and though men may obtain no advantage from your words, and they may remain without effect, still the good intention which prompted them, and which has Me only for its object, makes them resound sweetly in My ears, and will cause them to touch even My very inmost heart. The hope with which you sigh after Me ascends as a fragrant odor before Me: your prayers and desires are sweeter to Me than any perfume; and in your love i find the greatest pleasure."

Then the Saint began to desire ardently a restoration of her former health, that she might be able to observe the austerities of her Order with more exactness. But Our Lord replied lovingly: "Why does My spouse become importunate to Me, as if she would oppose My Will?" "What, Lord!" she replied, "how can a desire, which seems to me to be only for Thy Will?" "From the manner in which you ask it," " replied Our Lord, "I consider it only as the desire of a child; but if you should ask it more earnestly, I should not be pleased at your request."

From these words the Saint knew that the desire of health, from a pure intention of serving God, is indeed good; but that it is far more perfect to abandon oneself entirely to the Divine Will, and to believe that all which God ordains for us, whether of prosperity or adversity, cannot but be for our advantage.

Chapter 43. Of two pulsations of the Heart of Jesus.

As Gertrude saw one of her sisters hastening to the sermon, she said to God complainingly "Thou knowest, my Beloved, with what pleasure I would now hear this sermon, were I not hindered by sickness." Our Lord replied: Wilt thou, my dear spouse, that I should preach to thee Myself? and she answered: "Very willingly". Then Our Lord made her rest on His Heart, so that her soul touched it; and as she remained there sometime, she felt two most sweet and admirable movements therein. Then the Lord said to her: Each of these movements operates the salvation of man in three different manners. The first operates the salvation of sinners; the second, that of the just. By the first, I converse continually with My Eternal Father - I appease His anger against sinners, and I incline Him to show them mercy. By the second, I speak to My Saints, excusing sinners to them, and urging them with the zeal and fidelity of a brother, to intercede with God for them. By the third, I speak to sinners themselves, calling them mercifully to penance, and awaiting their conversation with ineffable desire.

By the second movement of My Heart, I invite My Father to rejoice with Me for having poured forth My Precious Blood so efficaciously for the just, in whose merits I find so many delights. Secondly, I invite all the heavenly host to praise My providences, that they may return Me thanks for all the benefits which I have granted them, and that I may grant them more for the future. Thirdly, I speak to the just giving them many salutary caresses, and warning them to profit faithfully by them, from day to day, and hour. As the pulsations of the human heart are not interrupted by seeing, hearing, or any manual occupation, but always continue without relaxation, so the care of the government of Heaven and earth, and the whole universe, cannot diminish or interrupt for a moment these two movements of My Divine Heart, which will continue to the end of ages.

Chapter 44. Of the manner in which we should ask our Lord for rest or sleep.

It happened some time after, that Gertrude passed an entire night without sleeping, which so weakened her that her strength entirely failed; and she offered her prostration as usual, for the glory of God and the salvation of men. Then Our Lord, charitable compassionating her weakness, taught her to invoke Him by these words: "I beseech Thee, O most merciful God, by the most tranquil sweetness with which Thou hast reposed from all eternity in the bosom of the Father, by Thy peaceful abode of nine months in the womb of a virgin, and by all the holy delights which Thou hast ever enjoyed in souls filled with Thy love, to grant me some rest - not for my own satisfaction, but for Thy eternal glory - in order that the strength of my wearied body may be restored, and that I may be able to fulfill my duties." And as she said these words, she saw herself coming nearer to God, as if she ascended by steps. Then Our Lord showed her a place at His right hand, and said to her: Come, My beloved repose on My Heart, and see if My anxious love will permit you to rest without anxiety. As she reclined thus on the loving Heart of Jesus, and felt its sweet pulsations more sensibly, she said to Him "O my Beloved, what wouldst Thou say to me by those pulsations?" He replied: I would say, that when anyone finds herself exhausted and deprived of strength by long wakefulness and addressed to Me the prayer with which I have just inspired you, that I may grant them the strength they need for My service - if I do not hear them, and they bear their weakness with patience and humility, I will console them with the same tenderness and charity as a friend would his friend, who rose from his bed with alacrity, although over powered with sleep, merely for the sake of enjoying the pleasure which he found in his conversation. And as this compliance would be even more agreeable to him than if it were offered by a person who usually passed the night without sleeping much, so also is he more infinitely more pleasing to Me who, having exhausted all his strength by vigils, offers Me his weakness, and bears it with humility and patience, than he who being more robust, is able to remain entire nights in prayer, without suffering much inconvenience.

Chapter 45. Of perfect resignation of ourselves to the Divine will.

Gertrude being once ill of a fever, which sometimes increased after perspiration and some times diminished, finding herself one night bathed in perspiration, began to desire very anxiously to know if she would be better or worse after it. Then our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to her radiant with beauty and bearing health in His right hand and sickness in His left: He presented them to her, that she might choose whichever she preferred. But the Saint refused both, and casting herself into the arms of her Lord, she approached His loving Heart, in which the plenitude of all good abides, that she might learn His adorable Will. Our Lord received her with much sweetness, and embraced her lovingly, allowing her to rest on His bosom; but she turned her face away from Him, and inclining her head backwards, exclaimed: "I turn my face from Thee, and I entreat Thee with my whole heart not to consider my inclination in anything in anything, but to accomplish Thy adorable Will in all that concerns me."

From this we may learn that the faithful soul ought to confide all that concerns her to God with perfect confidence, and that she should prefer being ignorant of His designs towards her, so that His Will may be more fully accomplished in her.

The Lord then poured into the bosom of the Saint two streams of living water, which came forth from the two sides of His Heart, as from a mystic vessel, and said to her: Since you have turned your face from me, and renounced your own will in all things, I will pour forth on you all the sweetness of My Divine Heart. "My sweet Lord" replied Gertrude, "since Thou hast so often, and, in such different ways bestowed Thy Deified Heart on me, I desire to know what I shall gain from this new gift" He replied: Does not the Catholic faith teach you that I bestow Myself, with all the riches that are contained in the treasures of My Divinity and My Humanity, for the salvation of those who communicate, even once? - and that the oftener men communicate, the more their beatitude is increased and perfected?

Chapter 46. Of the sensible pleasure which the soul finds in God.

As many persons advised the Saint to refrain from meditation until she recovered her health, she complied with their desire, being always anxious to do the will of another rather than her own; but on condition that she should be allowed to occupy herself in adorning the crucifixes and other holy images, so that she might at least preserve a perpetual remembrance of Jesus Crucified by these exterior representations. One night as she was occupied in thinking how she could arrange some straw as a sepulcher for the crucifix, on Friday evening, at the commemoration of the Passion after Vespers, the God of Love, who regards the intention rather than the works of those who love Him, insinuated Himself into her thoughts thus: Rejoice in God My beloved, and He will give you all your heart's desires. By these words she understood, that when we take pleasure in such things for the love of God, His Divine Heart is pleased thereby; even as the father of a family engages an excellent concert of music, which entertains those who are seated at table with him as well as himself.

"But, my most loving God" inquired the Saint: "What glory can this exterior satisfaction give Thee, which satisfies the senses more than the soul"? He replied: Even as an avaricious would be sorry to lose the opportunity of gaining a single penny, so I, who find all my joy in you, do no intend to allow even your least thought, nor a single movement of your finger, which you have done for love of Me, to pass by without using it for My glory and your eternal welfare. She replied: "If Thine immense goodness can find pleasure in this, what dost Thou say of the verses in which all Thy Passion is commemorated?" I take the same pleasure in them, replied the Lord, as a person would who was conducted by his friend, with marks of tenderness and friendship, to an agreeable garden, where, while breathing the fresh air and sweet odor of the place, he would also have the pleasure of admiring its beautiful flowers, hearing a concert of exquisite music, and of refreshing himself with the rarest and most exquisite fruits. And I promise you, My beloved, recompense for the satisfaction you have given Me by your verses, and also those who read them often with devotion, while they live in this life of sorrow, which leads to life eternal.

Chapter 47. Of the languor caused by Divine love.

Soon after, during the seventh illness of the Saint, as her mind was occupied with God, on a certain night, Our Lord approached her, and said to her, with extreme sweetness and charity: Tell Me My beloved, that you languish for love of Me. She replied "How can I, a poor sinner, presume to say that I languish for love to Thee?" Our Lord answered: Whoever offers himself willingly to suffer anything in order to please Me, he truly glorifies Me, and, glorifying Me, tells Me that he languishes for love of Me; provided that he continues patient, and that he never turns his eyes away from Me. "But what advantage canst Thou gain from this assurance, my beloved Lord?" inquired the Saint. The Lord answered: This assurance imparts joy to My Divinity, glory to My Humanity, pleasure to My eyes, and satisfaction to My ears. Further, the unction of My Love is so powerfully moved thereby, that I am compelled to heal the contrite heart - that is to say, those who desire this grace; to preach to those who are in captivity - that is, to pardon sinners; to open the door to those who are in prison - that is to release the souls in Purgatory.

Gertrude then said to the Lord: "Father of mercies! after this sickness, which is the seventh that I have had, wilt Thou not restore me to my former health?" Our Lord replied: If I had made known to you at the commencement of your first illness that you would have to endure seven, perhaps you would have given way to impatience through human frailty. So, also, if I now promised you that this would be the last sickness, the hope with which you would look forward to its termination might lesson your merit. Therefore the paternal providence of My uncreated wisdom has wisely ordained that you should remain ignorant on both subjects, that you might be obliged to have recourse to Me continually with your whole heart, and to commend your troubles, whether exterior or interior, to My fidelity; since I watch over you so faithfully and lovingly that I would not permit you to be tried beyond your strength, knowing how much your patience can bear. This you can easily understand, if you remember how much weaker you were after your first sickness than you are now after your seventh; for although human reason might have considered this impossible, yet nothing is impossible to My Divine omnipotence.

Chapter 48. That the faithful soul ought to abandon herself to the will of God, for life and death.

As the Saint offered various testimonies of her love to God during the night - asking Him, among other things, how it happened that she had never wished to know whether her sickness would end in life or death, though it had lasted so long, and how it was that she felt indifferent to either - Our Lord answered her thus: When a bridegroom conducts his bride into a garden of roses to gather them for a bouquet, she takes so much pleasure in his sweet conversation, that she never pauses to inquire which of the roses he would wish her to gather, but she takes whatever flower her bridegroom gives her; and places it in her bouquet. So also the faithful soul, whose greatest pleasure is the accomplishment of My Will and delights in it as in a garden of roses, is indifferent whether I restore her health or take her out of the present life, because, being full of confidence, she abandons herself entirely to My paternal care.

One night also, when the Saint was much exhausted by her spiritual exercises, and by the interior converse she had, had with her Lord, she took a few grapes with the intention of refreshing her Spouse in herself. The Lord received them with much gratitude, and said to her: I am now compensated for the bitter draught offered me in a sponge as I hung on the Cross for your love, because I now taste in your heart an ineffable sweetness; and the more purely you recreate your body for love of Me, the sweeter is the refreshment I find in your soul.

As she had thrown from her the skins and stones of the grapes which she had in her hands, she saw the devil - the persecutor of all good - trying to gather them up, as if to reproach her for all the dispensation which her infirmity had made her take, by eating after Matins, contrary to the Rule. But the moment he attempted to touch one of the skins, he was so scorched and burned, as if devouring flames, that he fled from the house uttering fearful cries, and taking care for the future how he uttered anything that could cause him such frightful torments.

Chapter 49. Of the benefit we may derive from our faults.

One night, as Gertrude was occupied in examining her conscience, she remarked that she had a habit of saying "God knows", without reflection and without necessity; and having blamed herself very severely for this fault, she besought the Divine Majesty never to permit her to use His sweet name lightly again, Our Lord replied lovingly to her: Why would you deprive Me of the glory and yourself of the immense reward which you acquire every time you perceive this fault, or any similar one, and seriously endeavor to correct it? For when anyone exerts himself to overcome his faults for love of Me the same testimony of fidelity and respect as a soldier would do to his captain when he courageously resisted his enemies in battle, overcoming them all, and casting them to the ground with his own arm.

After this, as the Saint rested on the bosom of her Lord, she felt a great weakness of heart, which she offered thus to Him: "My Beloved Spouse! I offer Thee this debilitated heart, with all its affections and desires, that Thou mayest take pleasure therein according to Thy Will". He replied: I accept your offering of this weak heart and prefer it to a strong one; even as the hunter prefers what he has taken in the chase to tame animals.

Although the infirmities of the Saint prevented her from assisting in choir, still she often went to listen to the Office, in order thus to exercise her body in some manner in the service of God; and reflecting that she was not as attentive or recollected as she desired, she manifested her grief to her Divine Spouse, saying to Him, with a dejected heart: "What glory canst Thou receive, my loving Lord, from my sitting here in this idle and negligent manner, paying so little attention to what is said or chanted to Thy glory?" Our Lord replied: And what satisfaction would you not have if your friend presented you with a draught of newly - made -mead, which you thought would strengthen you? Be assured, then, that I find infinitely more pleasure in every word, and even every syllable, to which you listen attentively for my glory.

At the Mass which was celebrated after, Gertrude felt unable to rise at the Gospel, and she doubted whether to spare herself or not on such occasions, as she had no hope of her recovery; but she asked God, according to her custom, what would be most for His glory. He replied: When, for love of Me, you do anything with difficulty, and which is beyond your strength, I receive it even as if I had absolute need of it; but when you omit anything to take due care of your body, referring all to My glory, I consider it in the same manner as an infirm person would consider some relief that it was impossible for him to do without; thus I will recompense you for both according to the greatness of My Divine munificence.

Chapter 50. Of the renewal of the Seven Sacraments in her soul, and of fraternal charity.

As Gertrude examined her conscience one day, she discovered some faults which she was extremely anxious to confess; but as she could not have recourse to her confessor at the time, she began as usual to discover her grief to Our Lord, Who consoled her thus: Why, He inquired, are you troubled, My beloved, since I am the sovereign Priest and true Pontiff, to whom you can have recourse; and I can renew in your soul with greater efficacy the grace of the Seven Sacraments, by a single operation, than either priest or Bishop could by conferring each separately? For I will baptize you in My Precious Blood; I will confirm you in My victorious strength; I will espouse you in My faithful love; I will absolve you from all your sins by the charity of My heart; I will feed you Myself by My overflowing tenderness, and I will feed Myself also on you; I will purify you inwardly by so powerful an anointment of the sweetness of My spirit, that all your senses and your actions will breathe the most fervent piety, which pouring down on you like holy oil, will sanctify you more and more unto life eternal.

Once when the Saint had risen to say Matins, although in a state of extreme weakness, and had already finished the first nocturne, another religious, who was also ill, came to her, and she immediately recommenced the Matins with her, with great charity and devotion. Afterwards, being occupied with God during holy Mass, she perceived that her soul was magnificently adorned with precious stones, which emitted a most admirable brightness, Our Lord then made known to her that she had received those gifts in recompense for her humble charity in having recommenced her Matins for the convenience of a younger sister; and that she had received as many different ornaments as she had repeated words. The Saint them remembered some negligence of which she had not been able to accuse herself in Confession, on account of the absence of her confessor; and as she mourned over this to Our Lord, He said to her: Why do you complain of your negligences- you who are so richly clothed with the robe of charity, which covers a multitude of sins? "How can I console myself," she replied, "when I still perceive that I am stained by them?" But Our Lord answered: Charity not only covers sins, but, like a burning sun, consumes and annihilates the slightest imperfections, and overwhelms the soul with merit.

Gertrude once perceived that a person neglected some observances of the Rule, and feared that she would be guilty in the sight of God if she did not correct it, as she knew of it; but she also apprehended that some who were less strict might think she interfered more than was necessary in trifling matters. This trouble, however she offered, according to her custom, to our Lord, Who, in order to show how agreeable her devotion was to Him, said to her: Each time that, for love of Me, you suffer this reproach, or any similar to it, I will strengthen you mightily, and will encompass you, as a city is encompassed with trenches and walls, so that no occupation will be able to distract you, or separate you from Me; and further, I will add to your merit that which anyone might have acquired if they had submitted themselves with humility to your admonitions.

Chapter 51. Of the fidelity which we must only expect to find in God, and of the grace of patience.

As it usually happens that the injuries which we receive from a friend are more difficult to bear than those which we receive from an enemy, according to the words of Scripture, "If my enemy had reviled me, I would verily have borne with it" (Ps 54:13) - Gertrude, knowing that a certain person, for whose welfare she had labored with extreme solicitude, did not respond with the same fidelity to her care, and even, through a kind of contempt, acted contrary to what she advised, had recourse to Our Lord in her affliction, who consoled her thus: Do not be grieved , My daughter, for I have permitted this to happen for your eternal welfare, that I may the oftener enjoy your company and conversation, in which I take so much pleasure. And even as a mother who has a little child whom she loves specially, and therefore desires to have always with her, places something that will alarm her, and oblige her to come back into her arms, when she has strayed from her, so also desiring to have you always near Me, I permit your friends to contradict you in some things that you may find no true fidelity in any creature, and therefore have recourse to Me with all the more eagerness, because you know that I possess the plenitude and stability of all contentment.

After this it seemed to her as if Our Lord placed her in His bosom like a little child, and there caressed her in many ways; and, approaching His adorable lips to her ears, He whispered to her: As a tender mother soothes the troubles of her little one by her kisses and embraces, so do I desire to soothe all your pain and grief by the sweet murmur of My loving words. After the Saint had enjoyed these and many other consolations for some time, Our Lord offered her His Heart, and said to her: Contemplate now, My beloved, the hidden secrets of My Heart, and consider attentively with what fidelity I have ordered all that you have ever desired of Me for your benefit and the salvation of your soul; and see if you can accuse Me of unfaithfulness to you, even by a single word. When she had done this, she beheld Our Lord crowning her with a wreath of flowers, more radiant than gold, as a reward for the trial of which we have just spoken.

Then the Saint, remembering some persons who, she knew, were tried in other ways, said to God: "Surely these persons merit to receive from Thy liberality, Father of mercies, a richer recompense, and to be adorned with more splendid ornaments than I, since they are not assisted by the consolations which I receive, though so unworthy, and since I do not bear what happens to me with the patience I ought?" Our Lord replied: In these things, as in all others, I manifest the special charity and tenderness which I have for you; even as a mother who loves her only child wishes to adorn her with ornaments of gold and silver, but, knowing that she could not bear their weight, decks her with different flowers, which without incommoding her, do not fail to add to her attractions. So, also, I moderate the rigor of your sufferings, lest you should fall under the burden, and thereby be deprived of the merit of patience.

Then, as the Saint reflected on the great care of the Divine Mercy for her salvation, she began to praise Him with great gratitude; and she perceived that those flowers with which her sufferings had been mystically rewarded expanded more and more as she returned thanks. She understood also, that the grace that God had given her, of praising Him in adversity, was as much more excellent as an ornament of solid gold is to one which has merely been gilt.

Chapter 52. The value of a good will.

A certain nobleman having sent to the Monastery to ask the religious to found a convent, Gertrude - who was always anxious to accomplish the Will of God, though she was unable to comply with this request - cast herself before a crucifix, and offered herself to God with her whole heart, praying that His holy Will might be accomplished. It seemed to her that Our Lord was so deeply touched by this offering, that He descended from the Cross to embrace her with extreme affection and gladness, and received her with marks of ineffable joy - even as a sick person who had been given over by the physicians would receive a remedy which he had long desired, and which he hoped might restore his health - and having then gently approached her to the adorable Wound of His Side, He said to her: You are welcome, My beloved, you are the balm of My Wounds, and the sweetener of all My griefs. Gertrude knew by these words that when anyone abandons His Will without reserve to the good pleasure of God, whatever adversity may be impending, Our Lord receives it as if he had anointed His Wounds, even at the very hour of His Passion, with the most precious and healing ointments.

After this as Gertrude prayed, she began to think of many things by which she hoped to procure the glory of God and the advancement of religion. But after a time she reproached herself for these reflections, which perhaps could never bear any fruit, because she was so weak that she seemed more likely to die than to be able to undertake any laborious work. Then the Lord Jesus appeared to her in the midst of her soul, radiant with glory, and adorned with roses and fair lilies; and He said to her: Behold how I am adorned by your good will, even as I was by the stars and the golden candlesticks, in the midst of which St John in the Apocalypse, declares that He saw the Son of Man standing and having seven stars in His right hand; and know that I have received as much pleasure from the other thoughts of your heart as from this sweet and agreeable garland of lilies and roses.

"O God of my heart!" exclaimed the Saint, "Why dolt Thou embarrass my soul with so many different desires, which are all without effect, since it is so short a time since Thou didst give me the thought and desire of receiving Extreme Unction, and disposed my soul to receive it by filling me with such joy and consolation? And now on the contrary, Thou dolt make me desire the establishment of a new monastery, although I am still so weak that I am scarcely able to walk." I do this, replied Our Lord, to accomplish what I have said at the commencement of this book, that,' I had given you to be the light of the Gentiles'; that is, to enlighten many people: therefore it is necessary that your book should contain information in many subjects, for the consolation and instruction of others. And as two persons who love each other often find pleasure in conversing on subjects which do not specially concern them - as a friend often proposes to a friend the most difficult and intricate questions - so do I take pleasure in proposing many things to My elect which will never happen to them, in order to prove their love and fidelity for Me, and to reward them for many purposes which they cannot carry into effect, counting all their good intentions as if they had been carried into action. So I inclined your will to desire death; and, consequently, made you feel this wish to receive Extreme Unction. And I have preserved in the depth of My Heart, for your eternal salvation, all that you have done in thought or act to prepare yourself for this Sacrament. Thus you may understand these words: 'The just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest.' For if you were deprived of thin Sacrament by sudden death, or if you receive it after you had lost consciousness - which often happens to My elect- you would not suffer any loss thereby, because all the preparation for death which you have made for so many years is preserved in the unfading spring time of My Divinity, where, by My cooperation, it always remains green and flourishing and fructifying for your eternal salvation.

Chapter 53. How we may profit by the merit of others.

Gertrude was requested by a person, when she offered to God all the gratuitous gifts with which He had favored her, to ask that she might have a share in their merit. As she prayed thus, she perceived this person standing before the Lord, who was seated upon His throne of glory, and held in His hand a robe magnificently adorned, which He presented her, but still without clothing her in it. The Saint, being surprised at this, said to Him: "When I made a similar offering to Thee, a few days since, Thou didst at once take the soul of the poor woman for whom I prayed to the joys of Paradise; and why, most loving Lord, dolt Thou not now clothe this person with the robe which Thou halt shown her, and which she so ardently desires, through the merits of the graces Thou halt bestowed on me, though so unworthy of them?" Our Lord answered: When anything is offered to Me for the faithful departed, I immediately use it for them, according to My natural inclination to show mercy and pardon, either for the remission of their sins for their consolation or for the increase of their eternal felicity, according to the condition of those for whom the offering is made. But when a similar offering is made for the living, I keep it for their benefit, because they can still increase their merit by their good works, by their good desires, and by their good will; and it is only reasonable that they should endeavor to acquire by their labor what they desire to obtain through the intercession of others.

Therefore if she for whom you pray desires to be clothed with your merits, she must study these three things: First, she must receive this robe with humility and gratitude - that is to say, she must acknowledge humbly that she has need of the merits of others - and she must render Me fervent thanksgivings for having deigned to supply her poverty out of their abundance, secondly, she must take this robe with faith and hope, that is, hoping in My goodness, she must believe that she will receive thereby a great assistance to her eternal salvation; thirdly, let her clothe herself in charity, exercising herself in this and in other virtues. Let all those who desire a share in the merits and virtues of others act in like manner, if they would profit thereby.

Chapter 54. Prayer composed by the Saint.

Gertrude having been bled some time after the Fast, she was frequently heard uttering these words: "O King, of all kings the most excellent! O illustrious Prince!" with other of similar import; and as she recollected herself one morning in the place where she usually prayed, she said to God: "O most Loving Lord, what wilt Thou that I should do with these words which so often present themselves to my mind and my lips?" Then Our Lord showed her a golden collar, composed of four parts, which He held in His Hands. But as the Saint did not know what these four parts signified. He made known to her in spirit that the first part represented the Divinity of Christ; the second the Soul of Christ; the third, every faithful soul whom He had espoused in His own Blood; and the fourth, the pure and immaculate Body of Christ. She knew also that the reason why the faithful soul was placed in this collar, between the Soul and the Body of Jesus Christ, was to show with what indissoluble love the Savior had united the faithful soul to His own Body and Soul. and suddenly she was inspired with these words in rapture, at the sight of this collar.

Prayer.

"Thou art the life of my soul! May all the desires of my heart be united to Thee by Thy burning love! May they languish and die whenever they turn to any object apart from Thee; for Thou art the beauty of all colors, the sweetness of all taste, the fragrance of all odors, the harmony of all sounds, the charm of all embraces! In these is the voluptuousness of delight; from Thee flows forth a torrent of love; to Thee are all drawn by Thy powerful attractions; and by Thee all receive the sweet influences of love! Thou art the overflowing Abyss of the Divinity! O King, greater than all kings! Supreme Emperor, sovereign Prince, peaceful Ruler, faithful Protector! Thou art the vivifying gem of human nobility with the noblest sentiments! Thou art Worker full of skill, a Master of full clemency, a Counselor full of wisdom, a Defender full of kindness, a Friend most faithful! Thou art the sweet savor of all delights! O gentle caresser, whose touch imparts healing! O ardent Lover, sweet and chaste Spouse! Thou art the Spring-flower of unchanging beauty! O Loving Brother, beautiful Youth, joyful Companion, liberal Host, careful Admisinstrator! I prefer Thee to every creature; for Thee I renounce all pleasures; for Thee I seek all adversity; and in all this I desire only Thy glory. My heart and lips testify that Thou art the quickener of all good. I unite, by the merit of Thy love, the fervor of my devotions to the virtue of Thy prayers, so that by the power of this Divine union I may be raised to the highest perfection, and all rebellious movements may be calmed within me."

All these sentences seemed like so many brilliant stones separately enchased in the gold of this collar. On the following Sunday, as Gertrude assisted at the Mass at which she was to communicate, and recite this prayer with much devotion, she perceived that Our Lord was pleased with it, and she said to Him: "O most loving Lord, since I perceive that these words are so agreeable to Thee, I will advise as many persons as I can to offer it to Thee devoutly, as a precious collar of pearls." Our Lord replied: No one can give Me what is Mine, but whoever recites it devoutly shall feel his knowledge of Me increase, and shall receive light from My Divinity, which shall be showered down on him by the efficacy of these words; even as they who hold a plate of polished metal to the sun behold therein the reflection of its light. The Saint immediately felt the effect of these words, for as soon as she had recited this prayer she perceived that the surface of her soul became radiant with Divine light, and she found an increase of sweetness and pleasure in Divine things.

Chapter 55. Our Lord shows her His Heart

Jesus Christ once appeared to the Saint, and showing her His Heart, said to her: My beloved, give Me your heart; and as she presented it to Him with profound respect, it seemed to her that He united it to His by a canal which reached to the ground, through which He poured forth abundantly the effusions of His infinite grace, saying to her: Henceforth I shall use your heart as a canal through which I shall pour forth the impetuous torrents of mercy and consolation which flow from My loving Heart on all those who shall dispose themselves to receive it by having recourse to you with humility and confidence.

Chapter 56. Of charity towards an erring brother.

As the Saint prayed one day for some persons who had formerly injured the convent seriously by their thefts, and were again committing depredations, Our Lord appeared to her as if suffering much pain in one of His arms, which was so drawn back that the nerves were seriously injured, and He said to her: Consider what torment he would cause Me who should strike Me with his closed hand (fist), on this suffering arm; and reflect that I am outraged in like manner by all those who, without compassionating the danger to which the souls who persecute you are exposed, do nothing else but talk maliciously of their (the persecutors) sins and what they (the victims) have suffered in consequence, without reflecting that these unhappy people (the persecutors) are members of My Body; while all those who touched by compassion implore My mercy for them, that I may convert them, act toward Me as if they soothed the pain of My arm with healing ointments: and I consider those who, by their counsels and charitable warnings, try to induce them to amend their lives, as wise physicians who endeavor to restore My arm to its proper position.

Then Gertrude, admiring the ineffable goodness of God, said to Him "But how, Lord, can these unworthy persons be compared to Your arm?" He replied: Because they are members of the body of My Church, of which I glory in being the Head. "But My God" exclaimed Gertrude, "they are cut off from the Church by excommunication, since they have been publicly anathematized for the violence they have done to this Monastery". Nevertheless, replied the Lord, as they can be restored to the bosom of the Church by absolution, My natural goodness obliges Me to care for them, and I desire with incredible ardor that they should be converted and do penance.

The Saint then prayed that the Monastery might be defended from their snares by His paternal protection, and she received this reply: If you humble yourselves under My might Hand, and acknowledge before Me in the secret of your hearts that your sins have merited this chastisement, My paternal mercy will protect you from all the efforts of your enemies: but if you rise up proudly against those who persecute you, wishing them evil for evil, then, by My just judgment, I will permit them to become stronger than you, and to afflict you still more.

Chapter 57. That the care of temporal affairs and exterior duties may be acceptable to God.

One year, when the convent was much burdened by a heavy debt, the Saint prayed to God with more devotion than usual that the convent procurators might be able to pay their debts. He replied tenderly: What advantage shall I gain if I assist them in this? The Saint replied: "They will be able to occupy themselves with more fervor and recollection in their spiritual duties." And what will this advantage Me, continued Our Lord, since I have no need of your goods, and it is equally the same to Me whether you employ yourselves in bodily or mental exercises or mental exercises, provided you refer your intention to Me? For if I only took pleasure in spiritual exercises, I should have so reformed human nature after the Fall that it would no longer have needed food, or clothing, or any other necessaries of life, which are now obtained with so much labor. And as a powerful emperor is pleased, not merely with bringing up noble ladies in the court of his empress, but also brings up his own court nobles, captains and soldiers, who are employed in different ways, that they may serve him when any occasion presents itself, so also I take pleasure, not only in the interior delights of contemplation, but also in the different exterior affairs and occupations of the children of men, with whom I love to dwell when they labor in them for My love and for My glory, because in these occupations they have much exercised in charity, patience, humility and the other virtues.

After this the Saint beheld the person who had the principle charge of the temporal affairs of the Monastery as if he were resting on the left Hand of the Lord; and it appeared to her that he often rose with great pain, and offered Him a piece of gold enriched with a precious stone. Our Lord then said to her: Know that if I lessened the troubles of him for whom you pray, I should also be deprived of these precious stones which are so acceptable to Me; and he would lessen the recompense which he will receive; for then he would only be able to offer Me with his right hand this piece of gold without any ornament. He presents Me with a piece of gold, who without suffering any adversity, refers all his actions to God according to His adorable Will. But he who is constantly suffering, and still conforms himself to the decrees of Providence, offers Me gold enriched with very rare and precious stones.

Nevertheless, the Saint still continued to pray that the convent procurator might be relieved from his difficulties. But Our Lord said to her: Why dolt it seem hard to you that anyone should suffer these inconveniences for love of Me, since I am the one true Friend whose faithfulness never changes? For when anyone is deprived of all human help and consolation and is driven to the last extremity, those who have formerly received kindness from them are sorry for their misfortunes, and yet their sorrow is often fruitless, and can afford no assistance to their friend. But I am the only true Friend who, in such dive necessity will console the afflicted with the merit and glory of all the good works they have practiced during their whole life, whether by thoughts, words or actions, and these shall appear scattered over My vestments like roses and lilies; while this delightful vision shall revive in the soul its hopes of eternal life, to which it beholds itself invited in recompense for its good works. Then the soul disposes itself in holy contentment to depart from its mortal body and to enter eternal felicity, so that amidst its joys it may say: 'Behold the smell of my beloved is as the smell of a fertile field. (cf. Gen 27:27). For even as the body is composed of many members united together so also the soul consists of affections, such as fear, grief, joy, love, hope, anger, modesty, in the exercise of each of which the more man acts for My glory the more he will find in Me that incomprehensible and ineffable joy, and that secure delight, which will prepare him for eternal happiness. For in the resurrection, when the body will be raised incorruptible, each of its members will receive a special recompense for the labors and actions which it has performed in My name and for My love. But the soul will receive an incomparably greater reward for all the holy affections it has entertained for My love, for its compunction, and even for having animated the body for My service.

Once again, as the Saint prayed that the faithful procurator might receive the full reward of his troublesome labors for the temporal good of the community, Our Lord said to her, His body , which is wearied by so many labors for Me, is like a treasure house, in which I place as many drachmas of silver as his limbs make movements to fulfill his duties with which he is charged: and his heart is like an ark, in which I place in reserve as many drachmas of gold as he has had thoughts of providing carefully, for love of Me, for those persons under his care. Then the Saint exclaimed, in surprise: "It seems to me, O Lord, that this man is not so perfect as to undertake all that he does purely for Thy glory; for I believe he also thinks of the temporal profit he obtains thereby, and consequently of his bodily convenience. How then, canst Thou, My God, find such pleasure as Thou sayest in his heart and in his body?" Our Lord condescended to reply thus: It is because his will is so entirely submitted to Mine that I am always the principle cause of his actions; and for this reason he will merit an inestimable recompense for all his thoughts, his words and his works. If he applies himself to each action with a still greater purity of intention, he will increase his merit even as gold exceeds silver in value and if he endeavors to refer all his thoughts and anxieties to Me with a yet purer intention, they will become as much more excellent as refined gold is in comparison of that which is allowed with a baser metal.

Chapter 58. Of the merit of patience.

It happened one day that a person was injured from an accident which occurred during some employment, and Gertrude, compassionating her suffering, prayed that the limb, which had been injured in a holy occupation, might not be endangered. Our Lord replied: It will not be endangered; but on the contrary, the pain will bring down on her soul a recompense of inestimable value. And further, all those who endeavor to soothe or cure her pain shall receive an eternal reward: for even as a piece of cloth which has been dipped in saffron imparts the same color to whatever it touches, so, when one member suffers, all the members who serve her shall be crowned with her glory. "But, my God" inquired the Saint, "how can those who thus assist each other render themselves worthy of so great a recompense when they labor thus, not that she who is wounded may suffer longer or more patiently for love of Thee, but merely to lesson her pain?" To this Our Lord vouchsafed a reply full of ineffable consolation: The patience with which anyone endures an evil for My love and for My glory, which cannot be remedied by any human means, is not a patience which I condemn; on the contrary, having sanctified it by these words which I addressed in My agony to My eternal Father, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this chalice pass from Me' (Matt 26:39), it becomes of incomparable merit and value. "But" inquired Gertrude, "is it not better to endure patiently every evil which happens, than merely to bear it because we cannot prevent it?" Our Lord answered: This is a secret hidden in the abyss of My Divine perfection, and which surpasses human understanding; but to speak according to the manner of men, there is the same difference between these two kinds of sufferings as between two beautiful colors, which are both so brilliant and attractive, that it is difficult to give preference to either. Then Gertrude prayed that Our Lord would make this known to this person Himself. and thus give her effectual and true consolation; but He answered: This must not be; but know that I refuse her this by a secret dispensation of My Divine Wisdom, in order to prove her further, and to give her the merit of three virtues - patience, faith and humility: patience, because if she found such consolation in these words as you now experience, all her pains would be so sweetened that the merit of her patience would be thereby much diminished; faith in order that she may believe on the word of another what she has not experienced herself, since faith remains without merit and unfruitful when human reason has perceived what it believes; humility, that she may believe that others excel her, because they know by Divine inspiration what she does not merit to know.

Chapter 59. Of the aversion which God has for impatience.

As the Saint prayed for a person for whom she had great compassion, because she knew that in a moment of impatience she had asked why God had permitted her to be tried in a way which she thought she had not deserved, Our Lord said to her: Ask this person why these trials are not proportioned to her; and tell her, that since the kingdom of Heaven cannot be obtained without suffering, that she shall choose herself whatever suffering she thinks most suitable for her; and when it happens to her, let her bear it with patience. She understood by these words, that the most dangerous kind of impatience is that in which persons imagine that they would be patient under other trials, but that they cannot be patient under what God sends them; whereas, on the contrary, they ought to be firmly persuaded that all which comes from God is most advantageous to them, and that when they do not receive it with patience, they ought to at least make it an occasion of humiliation. Our Lord then addressed His faithful spouse thus: And what do you think of My conduct in your regard? Do you think that I have sent you suffering which is beyond your strength? "Assuredly not, my God," she replied; "but I sincerely confess and will acknowledge to my last breath, that Thy Providence has governed me, both spiritually and temporally, in prosperity and adversity, in so prudent a manner, that all the wisdom of the world from its commencement even until now could not have acted thus, and that Thou only, my sweetest Lord, Who art the Uncreated Wisdom, wert capable of it; 'Who reaches from end to end mightily, and orderest all things sweetly'." (Cf Wis 8:1).

Then the Son of God led her to His Father, and asked her what she would say to Him, "I render Thee thanks Holy Father," she exclaimed, "with all my power, through Him that sittest at Thy right hand, for all the magnificent gifts which I have received from Thy bounty, knowing that this could not be effected by any creature, and could only be accomplished by Thy Divine omnipotence, Who causest all things to exist." Then He led her to the Holy Spirit, that she might offer her thanksgiving to Him for all His benefits; and she said: "I give Thee thanks O Holy Ghost the Comforter, through the merit of him who, by Thy cooperation, was made Man in the womb of a Virgin, that Thou hast charitably prevented me in all things with the gratuitous benediction of Thy sweetness, though I am so unworthy; and I am convinced that Thine ineffable charity alone could have bestowed such benefits on me, in which resides, from which proceeds, and through which we receive every good."

Then the Son of God addressing her with the greatest possible tenderness, said to her: I take you under My protection more especially than any other creature; and I shall have a greater care of you than I owe to them by right of creation, redemption, or even of My own free choice. From this the Saint knew that when anyone renders similar thanksgiving to the Divine Goodness, and abandons himself with confidence and gratitude to His holy Providence, that the Lord takes a particular care of him even as a Superior is obliged to watch specially over one whose vows he has received.

Chapter 60. That God is pleased with us when we are displeased with ourselves.

As Gertrude prayed for a person with special affection, and said to Our Lord, "Hear me, O loving Lord, according to the sweetness of Thy paternal love, for her whom I pray," Our Lord answered: I usually hear when you pray for her. "Why then," replied Gertrude, "does she so often entreat me to pray for her alleging always her unworthiness and nothingness, as if she never received any consolation from Thee?" This, answered the Savior, is the sweetest way in which My spouse could gain My affection; this ornament becomes her best, and in this she pleases Me most, because thus she is displeasing to herself, and this grace increases in her in proportion as you pray for her. On another occasion, when she prayed at the same time for this person and also for another, Our Lord said to her: I have brought her nearer to Me, and therefore it is necessary she should be purified by some little trial; even as a young girl who, on account of her love and tenderness for her mother wishes to seat herself beside her, although she may be more unconvinced thereby than her sisters, who take their proper seats round their mother - the mother also cannot look so easily and lovingly on the child beside her as on those who sit opposite to her.

Chapter 61. Of the effect of prayers for others.

§ 1. That we must pray with faith.
As Gertrude once prostrated at the feet of Our Lord Jesus, and kissed His Wounds with all possible respect and devotion, before praying for several persons and several affairs which had been recommended to her, she saw a stream breaking forth from the Heart of Jesus, which appeared to water all the placed where she was. She understood that this stream was the efficacy of prayers which she had offered at His feet, and said to Him: "My Lord, what advantage will those persons receive for whom I have prayed, since they cannot feel the effect of my prayers, and consequently cannot expect any consolation therefrom?" Our Lord answered by the following similitude: When a king makes peace after a long war, those who live at a distance cannot be made aware of it until a favorable opportunity occurs; thus they who separate themselves from Me by their diffidence or other defects cannot perceive when others pray for them. "But, Lord" she replied, "Thou halt Thyself made known to me that some of those for whom I have prayed are not separated far from Thee." It is true, answered Our Lord; but to he whom the king gives his orders personally, and not through his officers, must wait for the convenience of his prince. And thus I Myself make known to them the effect of your prayers, when I find it will be most advantageous to them to do so.

Gertrude then prayed specially for a person who had persecuted her formerly, and received this reply: As it would be impossible for anyone to have his foot pierced through without his heart sympathizing in its suffering, so My paternal goodness cannot fail to look with eyes of mercy on those who, while they groan under their infirmities and feel their need of pardon, are nevertheless moved by a holy charity to pray for the welfare of their neighbor.

§ 2. What we should ask for the sick.

As it is a duty of humanity to pray often for the sick, the Saint inquired of God what would be most for the advantage of an invalid for whom she prayed. Our Lord replied: Say two words for her with devotion - first, pray that she may preserve her patience; and secondly, pray that I may make every moment of suffering serve for her spiritual advancement and for My glory, according as the charity of My paternal Heart has ordained from all eternity for her salvation. And know that each time you pray thus, you will increase your merit and that of the sick person, even as an artist makes the colors brighter by retouching his painting.

§ 3. How we should pray for those who occupy elevated positions in the Church.

As Gertrude prayed for a persons in office, she understood that what God desired most from them, and especially from prelates, was, that they should possess these dignities as if they possessed them not - that is to say, that they should use their authority as if it had only been granted to them for a day or an hour, and that they should be ready at any moment to resign their charge, yet without ceasing to do all in their power for the glory of God, saying to themselves continually in their hearts:" Courage! Let us neglect nothing which may procure the honor of Our Lord in these matters, that we may at last lay down our burden without fear, when we have promoted His glory and the advantage of our neighbor."

§ 4. Of the value and importance of recommending ourselves to the prayers of others.

As the Saint prayed for a person who had requested her prayers with great humility, both personally and through others, she saw Our Lord approach this person, encompassing her with celestial light, and pouring forth on her in the midst of this splendor all the graces which she had hoped to receive through the merits of the prayers of Gertrude. Our Lord taught her by this, that when anyone confides in the prayers of another, with a firm confidence that through their intercession they will receive grace from God, the Lord in His goodness pours forth His benedictions on them according to the measure of their desires and they will place your faith, even when he to whose prayers they have recommended themselves neglects to pray for them.

Chapter 62. Instructions for different persons in different states of life.

§ 1. For one who had an ardent desire to advance in perfection.
As Gertrude prayed for a person who had an ardent desire to advance in perfection, she received this instruction: Tell her from Me, that if she desires to unite herself to Me by the tie of special love, she must, like a noble bird, make a nest at My feet of the branches of her own nothingness and the palm of My greatness, where she may repose by a continual remembrance of her unworthiness, because man is always inclined to evil of himself, and not to good, unless he is prevented by My grace. Let her often reflect on My mercy, and then on the paternal goodness with which I am ready to relieve men when they have fallen, if they return to Me by penance. When she desires to leave this nest in order to seek food, she must fly into My bosom wherein, with affectionate gratitude, she must reflect on the different blessings with which I have enriched her by My super abundant kindness. If she desires to fly further, and to ascend higher on the wings of her desires, she must rise with the swiftness of an eagle to the contemplation of heavenly things, which are above her; she must fly around my face, supported like a seraph on the wings of charity, and gaze with the piercing eyes of her spirit upon the glory of the King of kings.

But since it is impossible for her during this life to continue long in this high contemplation, even for an hour, she must depress her wings, by thinking frequently of her own nothingness, and return to her nest, remaining there in repose until she is able again to renew her flight by acts of thanksgiving and gratitude; then let her seek once more her pasture, and elevate herself again in ecstasy to the highest contemplation of the Divine Majesty. Thus by repeating frequently these difficult movements, entering into her nest by considerations of her unworthiness, and coming forth from it by meditating on My benefits, she will elevate herself to heavenly contemplation, and she will always taste celestial joys.

§ 2. Instruction for one who had entered religion at an advanced period.
Gertrude now prayed for another person who had been particularly recommended to her, and who, having renounced the world after passing the flower of her youth in it, had consecrated herself to God in religion. She besought Him by the same love with which He had promised her that He would use her heart as a canal through which to pour forth His grace on others, that He would now accomplish this promise for His own glory, and for the satisfaction and advantage of this person; and as she prayed thus, she saw her heart united, under the form of a little canal, to the loving Heart of Jesus, the Son of God, who appeared seated on His royal throne.

Then Gertrude also saw the person for whom she prayed prostrating humbly before God; she beheld Our Lord offering her His left hand, and saying to her; I will place you under the protection of My incomprehensible omnipotence, My inscrutable wisdom, and My ineffable goodness - at the same time presenting to her three fingers of His left hand, with which He touched hers; thus indicating three different manners in which she should endeavor to regulate her life. First, that when she commenced any duty, she should always submit herself humbly to the Divine omnipotence, acknowledging herself a useless servant, since she had passed her best years unfruitfully, without thinking of God her Creator; praying fervently that the Almighty would give her grace to act as she ought therein. Secondly, that she should protest before the impenetrable wisdom of God, that she was unworthy to receive any effusion of Divine knowledge, because she had not accustomed her senses from her infancy to occupy themselves with Divine things, but rather had used them for human pride and vainglory. Thus abasing herself in profound humility, she should detach herself from everything earthly, and apply herself solely to the contemplation of God; and that she should according to the circumstances of time and place, endeavor to impart to others the effusions of Divine grace which were poured forth on her. Thirdly, that she should receive with great thanksgiving the good will which the Lord had freely bestowed on her, by means of which she would be enabled to observe the two preceding counsels.

It appeared to the Saint, also, that Our Lord wore a ring on the ring finger of His left hand, the material of which was of little value, thought it contained a very rare and precious stone of the color of fire; and it was revealed to her that this ring symbolized the imperfect life of this person, which she had offered to God by forsaking the world, and enrolling herself under the Divine standard; and that the precious stone signified the mercy and ineffable liberality whereby Our Savior had inspired her with a good will, so that all her works might become perfect before God. Therefore the voice - that is to say the intention - of this person ought to be a continual thanksgiving and praise to God for this immense grace. She knew also, whenever this person performed any good work by Divine assistance, that Our Lord placed it on His right hand as a ring of great value, displaying it before all the heavenly court, and appearing to take satisfaction in having received the gift from His spouse - that is, from the soul of this person. They gave all the blessed souls a love for her, as princes have for the spouse of their king; and they rendered their services to this person, whenever God desired it, with all the fervor and devotedness which the Church Triumphant in Heaven renders to the Church Militant on earth.

§ 3. Instruction for a person who was desired to make her nest in the hole of the rock, that is, in the wounded Side of Jesus.
As the Saint prayed with much devotion for another person, she received this instruction for her: that she was to make her nest in the hole of the rock - that is, in the adorable Side of Jesus Christ - so that, reposing there, she should suck honey from the rock - that is, the sweetness of the intention of the Defiled Heart of Jesus - and this she might learn to imitate His example, according to the instruction of Holy Scripture; but especially in three things. First: as Our Lord frequently passed whole nights in prayer, she should imitate Him by having recourse to prayer in every trial and adversity. Secondly: that as Jesus Christ preached in the towns and villages, she should endeavor to edify her neighbor, not only by word, but by works; by her conduct, and even by the least movement of her body. Thirdly: that as Our savior was always ready to assist the needy, she should also render service to her neighbor by word and act, that whenever she was about to perform any action, she should always recommend it to God, uniting it to His most perfect works, that it might be accomplished according to His adorable Will, for the salvation of the world; and at its conclusion she should again offer it to the Son of God, that He might amend its defects, and present it to God His Father for His eternal glory.

Whenever this person came forth from her nest, she was to use three supports; one to assist her in walking and the other two to support her on either side. The first support was to be a fervent charity, by which she was to endeavor with all her might to draw all kinds of persons to God, and to be useful to them for the glory of God, inconsideration to that divine Love by which He had labored for the common salvation of the whole human race. the second support, which she was to use on the right side, was a humble subjection, by which she was to submit herself to all for the love of God, and to take the utmost care that neither her superiors nor her inferiors should be scanderlized by her words or actions. The third support, which she was to use on the left side, was an exact vigilance over herself, by means of which she should endeavor to preserve herself from all sin, and to avoid the stains which she might contract by thought, word or action.

§ 4. Instruction for another person who was to erect a mystical throne.
As Gertrude prayed for another person, her spiritual life was thus represented to her: She appeared before the throne of God as if engaged in building a magnificent throne of precious stones, the cement of which was pure gold. Sometimes she rested on this throne and then rose up again to resume her labor with greater fervor. The Saint understood that these precious stones represented the different afflictions by which the grace of God was preserved and strengthened in the soul of this person; for the Lord leads His elect through this life by rough and difficult paths, lest pleasures here should make them forget the pleasures of their father land. The gold which cemented these precious stones together represented the habitual grace which this soul possessed, and by means of which, with a lively faith, she made such profit of all the trials she suffered, whether exterior or interior. The repose which she took when sitting on this throne signified the sweetness of Divine consolation which she enjoyed; and the rising again, the good works in which she preserved continually, and by which she profited so much that she daily rose to a higher degree of perfection..

§ 5. The life of another person represented under the figure of a tree.
As the saint prayed for another person, her life was thus represented to her: she beheld before the throne of the Divine Majesty a very beautiful tree, the trunk and branches of which were green and flourishing, the leaves shining like gold. The person for whom she prayed appeared to ascend into this tree, and to cut off some little branches which had commenced to wither; and she had no sooner effected this, than Gertrude beheld the same number of branches coming forth from different parts of the throne of God, which were presented to this person to take the place of those which she had cut off; and when these were grafted on the tree, they appeared to bring forth fruit of a red color which she gathered and presented to God, Who received the offering with much pleasure.

The tree represented the religious life into which this person had entered to serve God; the gold colored leaves the good works which she practiced in her Monastery - and these were rendered of still more value by the prayers of one of her relatives, who had induced her to become a religious, and had recommended her to God with much fervent prayer. The instrument with which she cut off the withered branches represented the consideration of her own defects, in order to extirpate them by penance. The branches which came forth from the throne of God to replace those which she had cut off signified the perfect and holy life of Jesus Christ, who, through the merit and prayers of her relation, was always ready to supply her defects. Lastly, the fruit which she gathered and presented to God signified the good will she had to correct her faults, which was more acceptable to the Lord, who thinks more of the good will of a sincere heart than of great actions without pure intention.

§ 6. Instruction for a learned and for an ignorant person, figured by the three Apostles on Mount Tabor.
As the Saint prayed fervently for two persons who had been recommended to her prayers, but of whom she knew nothing, she besought Our Lord to reveal their spiritual state to her. Our Lord then desired her to inform them of two revelations which had been made to her for two other persons for whom she had been praying previously, one of whom was learned and the other illiterate; and, He added, that all persons, whatever might be their state or condition, would find instructions in the preceding revelations, as well as in those which follow. Of the learned person Our Lord said: I have taken her up, with My Apostles, on the mountain of new light, therefore, in regulating her conduct, let her be instructed by the meaning of the names of the Apostles who were led to that mountain. Now Peter, according to the interpreters signifies 'knowledge' let her then endeavor, in all her reading, to attain to herself - knowledge. For example, when she reads of vices or virtues, let her examine if she has any of these vices and see what progress she has made in virtue. Then, when she has obtained a more perfect knowledge of herself, let her follow the signification of the name James which is interpreted 'supplanter, and endeavor to fight courageously against her vices and to advance in virtues. And since the name John signifies 'grace' let her endeavor, at least for one hour each day, in the morning or evening, or whenever she finds it more suitable, to separate herself from all exterior things and to recollect herself interiorly, to think of me and know my Will; and let her thus let her exercise herself devoutly, as far as she can during the time which she has chosen, in all that I inspire her with, whether it be praise, thanksgiving for all the special favors I have bestowed on her, or for those which I have granted to others, or prayers for sinners, or for the souls in purgatory.

The following instruction was given for the unlearned person because she was much troubled that she could not apply to prayer as she desired being hindered by the duties of her office: I have not merely chosen her to serve Me for an hour in the day, but that she may be continually with Me - that is, that she may perform all her actions for My glory, and with the same intention with which she should desire to pray. Let her also practice this devotion in all the trouble which she finds in her employment - namely, to have a constant desire that all those who benefit by her labor may not only find bodily refreshment, but also that they may be incited to love Me interiorly, and be strengthened in all good; and each time that she acts thus, her labors and works will be to Me as if she presented Me with so many different and delicious viands.

Chapter 63. That the Church is figured by the members of Jesus Christ.

As the Saint prayed for another person, the Lord Jesus, the King of Glory, appeared to her, showing her, under the figure of His natural Body the mystical Body of His Church, of which He is the Head and the Spouse. He appeared to have the right side of His Body magnificently clothed with a royal and Divine habit, but the left was uncovered, and seemed all over ulcers. The Saint was instructed by this, that the right side of Our Lord signified the elect who are in His Church, and who have been prevented by special gifts of grace; the left side represented the imperfect, who are still full of vices and imperfections. The ornaments with which the right side of Our Lord was adorned represented the benefits and services which some had rendered by a singular zeal to those whom they knew to be more advanced in virtue than others, and to enjoy more familiarity with God, because, whenever they acted thus, they bestowed, as it were, a new ornament on the Lord. But there are also those who, while they willingly do service to virtuous persons for the love of God, reprehend the faults of the wicked and imperfect with such severity that they increase these wounds instead of healing them.

Our Lord then spoke to Gertrude: Let all learn from My example in this matter how they should heal the wounds of the Church, which is My mystical Body - that is, how they should correct the faults of their neighbors. First, they must touch them gently, and endeavor by their kindness and charitable advice, to withdraw them from their imperfections. When they see that these means are ineffectual, then, in the course of time, they may use stronger remedies to effect their cure. Those who care nothing for My words are they who, while they know of the faults of others, concern themselves so little about them, that they would not correct them, even by a word, for fear of giving themselves the least trouble, saying with Cain, 'Am I my brother's keeper?' They plaster over My wounds who, instead of trying to heal them, draw them out, and cause them to become corrupt, by allowing the imperfections of their neighbors to continue by their silence, when they might cure them by their words.

There are others who discover the faults of their neighbors, but give way to anger if they are not corrected and chastised for them at the moment, according to their fancy; and such persons resolve in their hearts never again to advise or reprehend another, imagining that their advice has been disregarded; and yet they will condemn others harshly themselves, even injuring them by untruths, without giving them one word of advice for their amendment. And they who act thus seem as if they placed a plaster on My wounds exteriorly, while interiorly they tear them with their burning irons.

They who neglect to correct the faults of others more from negligence than from malice act as if they trod on My feet. And those who follow the impulses of their own will, without caring how they scandalize My elect, so that they gratify their inclinations, seem to pierce My hands with red hot needles.

There are others, also, who sincerely love, as they ought, good and holy Superiors, and, who show them every respect by their words and actions, and yet despise those who appear less perfect, and condemn their actions in their own minds too rigorously; and these acts as if they adorned the right side of My head with pearls and precious stones, and, at the same time, struck the other side violently and without mercy when I desire to lay it down upon them to rest. There are some also who applaud the ill-regulated actions of their Superiors, in order to insinuate themselves into their friendship, and thus to be permitted more easily to follow their own will; and these act as if they dragged My head back rudely, insulting Me in My suffering, and finding pleasure in My wounds.

Chapter 64. Of the spiritual participation of merits.

As the Saint prayed for another person who had been devoutly recommended to her prayers, she commenced by asking God to allow her to participate in all the good which she might effect, however unworthy, by her vigils, her fasts, her prayers and other good works. Our Lord replied: I will communicate to her all the favors which the gratuitous goodness of My Divinity has operated or will operate in you even to the end. The Saint then asked: "Since Thy holy and universal Church participates in all the good which Thou dost operate in me, by me, and by all Thine elect, what particular advantage will this person receive from Thy bounty, in consequence of my ardent desire that she should share in all the graces which Thou conferrest on me? Our Lord answered by this comparison: Even as a lady of rank, who understands the art of skillfully arranging pearls and precious stones to adorn herself and her sister does honor to her house and her parents, and though she is thus skilled obtains the greatest applause, still those whom she adorns are more admired than those who are altogether deprived of such jewels; so also the Church shares in what is granted to each individual; but they who have received them, and those whom they desire to participate in them, receive the greatest profit from them.

Then the Saint told Our Lord that a person who had attended Dame Mechtilde in her illness complained that she had not attended her as she wished; above all, she grieved that she had not spoken to her about her soul as she had desired, fearing, if she did so, that she might incommode her. Our Lord replied: She serves Me daily at My table, as a prince would his emperor, by the good will with which she so often served My spouse with such alacrity and liberality; for I take pleasure in all the services which she has rendered to her, whether by serving her with food and drink, or soothing her sufferings by her words or actions. And as for the complaint which she makes of not having spoken to her often enough of spiritual things, I will supply for this Myself, as a charitable bridegroom, who, seeing that his bride from respect refrains from asking him for something that she ardently desires, grants double to her modesty. Further more, on account of the joy which she feels for all the favors which I have granted to My spouse, her soul will receive in Heaven an inestimable delight for all the graces which have been poured forth on her from the incomprehensible source of light. For as the rays of the sun, when they fall on the surface of the water, reflect themselves again on some other surface, so the brightness of My grace, which shines into the souls of those whom I have presented on earth with sweetness of My benediction, will cast their light through eternity upon the souls of those who have rejoiced in their happiness, and form an image brighter than that of the most highly-polished mirror.

Chapter 65. Of the utility of temptation.

As Gertrude prayed for a person who was greatly tried by temptation, she received this reply: It is I who have sent this temptation, and who permit it, that she may thus perceive and repent of her defects and efface those defects which she does not see; as it usually happens that, when men perceive any stain on their hands, they wash them, and thus thoroughly cleanse away lesser stains, which they would not have perceived or removed if they had not seen a greater one.

Chapter 66. That frequent Communion is agreeable to God.

A certain person, moved by a zeal for justice, sometimes exclaimed against those whom she thought approached the Holy Communion with too little preparation and fervor, and rendered them so fearful, that they dare not communicate. On this account Gertrude prayed for this person and inquired how Our Lord received her zeal, He replied: Since I find My delight in dwelling with the children of men, and have left this Sacrament by an excess of love, for a remembrance of Me, that by this they remember Me frequently; and, finally, have obliged Myself to remain in this mystery until the consummation of ages - all who, by their words or persuasions, drive away those who are not in mortal sin, and thus hinder and interrupt the delight which I find in them, act like a severe master, who forbids the children of the king to speak to those their own age who may be poor or beneath them in rank, because he considers it more correct that his pupils should receive the honor due to their dignity than to permit them this enjoyment. "But, Lord" inquired the Saint, "if this person formed a firm resolution not to commit this fault any more, wouldst Thou not pardon her for the past?" I would not only pardon her, Our Lord replied: but her actions would be as agreeable to Me as it would be to the king's son if his master allowed him to play with those children from whom he had previously driven him away with such severity.

Chapter 67. Of the right manner of exercising zeal.

As Gertrude prayed for a person whose conscience was troubled, fearing that she was guilty before God for not having borne with sufficient patience the negligence of some persons by whose bad example she feared religious discipline would become relaxed, Our Lord, who is the best of all masters, instructed her thus: If anyone desires that her zeal should be an acceptable sacrifice to Me and useful to her own soul, she should have a special care of three things; first, she should show a gentle and serene countenance toward those whom she desires to correct for their faults, and even, when opportunity offers, she should manifest her charity toward them by her actions as well as by her words; secondly, she should be careful not to publish these negligences in places where she neither expects amendment in the person corrected nor caution in the listeners; thirdly, when her conscience urges her to reprehend any fault, no human consideration should induce her to be silent, but, from a pure motive of giving glory to God and benefiting souls, let her seek an opportunity of correcting these imperfections with profit and charity. Then she will be rewarded according to her labor, not according to her success: for if her care entirely fails of effect it will not be her fault, but the fault of those who refuse to hear her.

As the Saint prayed again for two persons who had a verbal disagreement, one anxious for the maintenance of justice, and the other for charity. Our Lord said to her: When a father Who loves his little children sees them playing together and disporting merely for amusement, he appears not to notice it; but if he perceives that one rises up against the other too harshly, then he immediately reprehends severely the one who is at fault. Thus also I, who am the Father of mercies, when I see two persons arguing together with a good intention, appear not to perceive it, though I would much prefer to see them enjoy an entire peace of heart; but if one becomes angry with the other, she shall not escape the rod of my paternal justice.

Chapter 68. That we do not always receive the fruit of our prayers immediately.

As another person complained that she did not receive the fruit of the prayers which were offered for her, the Saint laid the matter before God, and received this reply: Ask this person what she would think most advantageous to a cousin or any other relative for whom she ardently desired a benefice - whether the right to it should be conferred on him as a child, or whether he should be allowed the revenues also, and permitted to use them as he pleased? According to human prudence, she could only reply that it would be more advantageous to confer on him the right to the benefice, and the revenue when he could use it properly, than when he might squander it wastefully. Let her, then confide in My wisdom and My Divine mercy, since I am her Father, her Brother, and her Spouse, and I will obtain what will be advantageous for her body and soul with far more care and fidelity than she would for any relative; and let her believe that I preserve carefully the fruit of all the prayers and desires which are addressed to Me for her, until a suitable time comes to permit her to the enjoyment of them; then I will commit them to her entirely, when no one will be able to corrupt them, or to deprive her of them by their importunities. And let her be persuaded that this is far more useful to her than to pour into her soul some sweetness which might, perhaps, be an occasion of vainglory to her, or become tarnished by her pride; or than to grant her some temporal prosperity, which might prove an occasion of sin.

Chapter 69. The value of exact obedience.

As the Hebdomadaria recited the chapter at Matins by heart, it was revealed to Gertrude that she acted thus to satisfy a precept of the Rule which requires that it should be recited thus, and that she acquired as much merit by this as if as many persons as there were words in what she chanted interceded for her with God. She remembered what St. Bernard has said will happen at the hour of death, when our actions will address us thus: "You have produced us; we are your work; we will never leave you, but will abide continually with you, and appear with you at judgment." Then God will permit all the actions of the obedient to appear as so many persons of distinction, who will console him, and intercede for him with God, so that each good action performed through obedience, with a pure intention, will obtain the pardon of some negligence, and thereby afford extreme consolation to persons in their agony.

Chapter 70. Instructions on different subjects.

§ 1. For the Hebomadaria.
Another Hebdomadaria, who was appointed to read the Psalter, having recommended herself to the prayers of the Saint, she began to intercede for her, and saw in spirit the Son of God elevating this person before the throne of His Eternal Father, praying Him to grant her a share in the zeal and fidelity with which He had desired the glory of God His Father and the salvation of the human race. After He had prayed thus for this person, she appeared clothed with ornaments like His. Therefore, as the Son of God is said to stand before His Father to render Him favorable to His Church, so this person, like another Esther, stood with the Son of God before the Eternal Father praying for her people, that is to say, for her community. And as she thus acquitted herself of the obligation of reciting the Psalter, the heavenly Father in two different manners, like a lord who receives a debt by the person who has entered bail for his debtors, and like a sum of money given by his steward to distribute amongst his friends. It appeared, also that Our Lord gave this person all she desired to obtain by her prayers for the community, and that he had granted them all they asked.

§ 2. Why God permits faults in superiors.
As St.Gertrude prayed to God to correct a fault in one of her superiors, she received this reply: Do you not know that not only this person, but also all those who have charge of this My beloved community, have some defects, since no one can be entirely free from them in this life? And this happens by an excess of My mercy, tenderness and love with which I have chosen this congregation, that by this means their merit may be greatly increased. For it is far more virtuous to submit to a person whose faults are apparent, than to one who always appears perfect. To this the Saint replied: "Although I am full of joy in perceiving great merit in inferiors, I ardently desire that superiors should be free from faults, and I fear they contract them by their imperfections." Our Lord answered: I, who know all their weaknesses, sometimes permits them, in the diversity of their employments, to be sullied by some stain, because otherwise they might never attain so high a degree of humility. Therefore, as the merit of inferiors is increased both by the perfections and imperfections of their superiors, so the merit of superiors increases by the perfections and imperfections of inferiors, even as the different members of the same body contribute to mutual increase.

From these words Gertrude learned to admire the infinite wisdom of God, who arranges all things for the perfection of His elect, with such care, that He even uses their defects for their increase in perfection; so that, were there no other subject than this wherein the mercy of God shone forth, the united thanksgivings of all His creatures would not suffice to praise Him for it.

§ 3. Of the fruits of adversity, and how we should correct our faults.
As the Saint prayed for a person who was in trouble, she received this reply: Do not defide (sic) in Me, for I will never permit My elect to be tried beyond their strength; and I am always with them to moderate the burden of their adversity, even as a mother who wishes to warm her little child at the fire always holds her hand between the fire and her child; so, when I know that it is necessary to purify My elect by sufferings, I send them not for their destruction, but to prove them and to contribute to their salvation. As she prayed afterwards for a person whom she had seen commit a fault, she said in the fervor of her desires: "Lord, although I am the least of Thy creatures, since what I ask for this man is for Thy glory, why dost Thou not hear me, Thou art almighty, and canst do all things?" The Lord answered: As My omnipotence can do all things, so does My wisdom discern all things; therefore I do nothing that is not suitable. And as an earthly monarch who had the power and will to cleanse his stables would not do so himself, because it would be unsuitable, so I do not withdraw persons from the evil into which they have fallen of their own will, if they do not change their will, and render themselves agreeable in My sight, and worthy of My love.

§ 4. Of avoiding negligence and confusion in the Divine Office.
As the Saint watched a person who went around the choir during Matins to remind the sisters of some observance which had been forgotten, and thereby caused some confusion, she inquired of God if this action was agreeable to Him. He answered: Whosoever endeavors to prevent any neglect in the Divine Office for My glory, and admonishes others for the same purpose, I will supply what he has omitted in this duty of piety and devotion which he is obliged to practice.

Chapter 71. Of the loss of friends, and how we should offer our trials to God.

As the Saint prayed for a person who was grieved at the illness of a friend whose death she expected, she received this instruction from God: When anyone has lost, or fears to lose, a faithful friend in whom they find not only the consolation of friendship, but also great assistance for their advancement in virtue, if they offer Me this affliction, and would rather My Will should be accomplished than their friend should live, they may be assured, if they form this desire in their hearts even for a single hour, that I will preserve their offering in the same beauty and freshness as it was presented to Me; and all the afflictions which may happen to them afterwards through human weakness will contribute to the advancement of their salvation in such a manner, that all thoughts which may grieve them - as, for example, when they remember such or such a consolation which they might have found in this person, and of which they are now deprived - all those griefs and inquietudes which overwhelm man through the weakness of his human nature - will only serve to make place in their souls for Divine consolations, after the offering of which I have spoken; for I will bestow on them as many consolations as they have suffered afflictions. And I will act toward them even as a lapidary who is obliged to place in his work of gold or silver as many precious stones as he has made niches to receive them. Now, My Divine consolation is like a precious stone, because precious stones are said to have strength, or so the Divine consolation which man obtains by enduring a passing affliction has such efficacy, that there is nothing which can be renounced in this life, however great, which will not be restored a hundred fold in this life, and a thousand fold in eternity.

Chapter 72. Instructions on various subjects

§ 1. Of the stains which might tarnish the purity of virginity.
As Gertrude prayed once for a person who ardently desired to have the merit of virginity before God, but who feared to have tarnished its brightness by some human weakness, she appeared in the arms of the Lord, clothed modestly in a snow-white robe, and He gave this instruction: When virginity receives some slight stain through human weakness, and this becomes the occasion of exercising a true and solid penance, I cause these stains to appear as ornaments on the soul, and they adorn it as folds adorn a robe. Nevertheless, as Scripture, which cannot be in error, assures us 'that incorruption bringeth near to God' (Wis 6:20), it must be observed, that if these stains were caused by great sins, they would impede the effusions of Divine Love.

§ 2. Of renouncing our own judgment.
As she prayed for another person who desired Divine consolation, she received this reply: She is herself the obstacle which prevents her from receiving the sweetness of My grace; for when I draw My elect to Me by the interior attractions of My love, they who remain obstinate in the exercise of their own judgment place the same impediment to it as one would who closed his nostrils with his robe to prevent himself from smelling a delicious perfume. But he who, for love of Me, renounces his own judgment to follow that of another, acquires a merit all the greater for acting contrary to his inclination, because he is not merely humble, but perfectly victorious; for the apostle says none will be crowned 'except he strives lawfully'. (2Tim 2:5).

§ 3.That the will is reputed before God as an act.
As the Saint prayed for a person who found great difficulty in a work which had been commanded her, Our Lord instructed her thus: If anyone desires, for love of Me, to undertake any painful work, by which he fears to be hindered from his devotions, if he prefers the accomplishment of My Will to his souls good, I will so esteem the purity of his intention, as to consider it as if it had really been carried into action; and even if he never commences what he has undertaken, he will not fail to obtain the same reward from Me as if he had accomplished it, and had never committed the least negligence in the matter.

§ 4. That we ought not to prefer exterior things to interior.
On another occasion, when the Saint prayed for a person who was troubled about some subject of which she was herself the cause, she received this reply: By these pains I purify the negligences which she has contracted by preferring, from human motives, an exterior utility to her interior advancement. "But since she cannot live without the exterior goods," replied the Saint, "what fault can she have committed by this foresight, which is a necessity of her office?" Our Lord answered: It is an honor and an ornament to a lady of rank to wear a mantle lined with furs; but if she turned it inside out, what was suitable for her rank would become a subject of confusion, so that her mother, to prevent such an exposure, would cover her with another mantle, lest she should be considered to have lost her senses. Thus I, who tenderly love this person as My own child, cover her defects with different kinds of afflictions, and I permit them to happen to her for this reason, without any fault of hers. Further, I have adorned her with patience as a special ornament; for I have recommended in the Gospel that men should seek first the kingdom of God and His justice - that is the perfection of the interior man - and then, not that they should seek exterior things, for I have promised that they shall be added to them. These words should be carefully considered by all religious who desire to be friends of God.

End Book 3

Book 4: The Revelations of St. Gertrude

Compiled by the Religious of Her Monastery

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