presence satiates me," said she, "and I acknowledge even that it suffices for me to see a priest that has just said Mass, to be happy. "
Catherine was, therefore at once satisfied and fasting; deprived of all exteriorly, but abundantly nourished in the interior; thirsty in her body, but inundated in her soul, by torrents of living waters, and always when necessary strong and joyous. But the old and tortuous serpent could not endure such a great favor from Heaven, without seeking to empoison it with the venom of envy. He excited against the servant of God, on the occasion of her extraordinary fast, all those who knew her, whether laymen or Religious. We must not be astonished to find that even religious persons were opposed to her. When the self-love of such is not entirely dead, it sometimes arouses a more dangerous jealousy in them than in others, especially when they behold things which are impossible for them to attain. Let us recall the story of the Fathers of the celebrated Thebaide; one of the disciples of St. Macarius, having taken secular clothes, went out and presented himself at a considerable monastery, which was under the direction of St. Pacomius. At the earnest request of the Superior he entered the community; but the austerity of his life, and his extraordinary penances so frightened the other monks that they almost revolted against Pacomius, and came one day to tell him; "that unless he immediately dismissed this monk, they would one and all quit his monastery on that very day," If men who appeared to be almost perfect spoke in this manner, what might we not expect from those of our day ?
Every one murmured against Catherine's fast. Some said: No one is greater than our blessed Lord, who ate and drank. His glorious Mother did the same, as well as
