Page:Lifeofsaintcatha.djvu/120

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but by every word that comes from the mouth cf God (Matt. iv. 4) and "the just live by faith." (Rom. i. 17) On the day of the Ascension she was able to eat, as our Lord had told her, and as she had announced to her Confessor. She ate in effect, bread and vegetables; she then recommenced her fast, and ended by observing it almost continually, interrupting it sometimes only, and at long intervals. While her body fasted, her soul took a more and more abundant nourishment. She approached as frequently as she could, the holy Table, and there derived every time, with ardor, a new supply of graces. Her organs had suspended their functions; but the Holy Spirit, which was acting in her, vivified at once her soul and body, and he that believes in divine things can affirm that her whole existence was supernatural and miraculous.

Often have I seen that feeble body reduced to the last extreme of weakness; but if in the moment that we expected to see her expire, an occasion presented of rendering any honor to God or aiding a soul, not only life returned to her, but with it such wonderful energy, that she walked, acted and performed more than those who were in good health, and without appearing to suffer the slightest fatigue. How explain this fact otherwise than by the action of the Holy Spirit, which sustained simultaneously the soul and body ? When she began to live without taking nourishment, her Confessor asked her if she did not sometimes experience an appetite. " God satisfies me so, "she answered, "in the holy Eucharist, that it is impossible for me to desire any species of corporal nourishment." And as her Confessor inquired whether she did not at least experience hunger on the days in which she did not communicate, "his sole