Page:Lifeofsaintcatha.djvu/102

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until my Sister sees her error, and Thou savest the soul of that beloved one from death."

While Catherine thus prayed, more with the heart than with the lips, God, so as to excite a still more inflamed desire for succoring that perishing soul, made known to her, Palmerina's faults and the danger that menaced her: and when our Redeemer declared that he could not endure that a hatred so unjust and so implacable should remain without chastisement, Catherine buried herself anew in profound supplication, and implored our divine and merciful Saviour not to suffer the soul of Palmerina to depart until she had been reconciled with God and her neighbor.

Her prayer was so effectual that the patient could not die; her agony endured three days and three nights: all were astonished and suffered on seeing this last combat so prolonged. Catherine was however continually interceding, and the humility of her tears triumphed over the Omnipotent. A ray of light from heaven mercifully penetrated that soul in the midst of her agony, discovered to it this fault, and gave it all the graces necessary for salvation. Catherine knew it by revelation, and hastened to the house. As soon as Palmerina saw her, she bestowed on her every mark of joy and respect; she accused herself of her fault aloud, and died shortly after having received the Sacrament with signs of the deepest contrition. Our Lord showed this soul as saved, to his spouse. Our Lord then suggested to his beloved Spouse that if He, the source of all beauty was so captivated with the loveliness of souls, as to descend to earth, and shed for them His precious Blood, how much more should we diligently labor for each other, so that a creature so admirable perish not." "If I have exhibited this