Page:Lifeofsaintcatha.djvu/154

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where it is divided. In consequence, my soul actually quitted my body, and I saw secrets of God, that I am incapable of telling on earth, because memory is too feeble, and language too poor for adequately rendering such noble themes. It would be presenting clay for gold. Only when I hear this state spoken of, I instantly feel a profound sorrow, on seeing, that I could descend from those heights to relapse again into the miseries of the world and I have only tears and sobs to express the keenness of my anguish."

Desiring to have a more complete knowledge of all that transpired, I said, "Mother, since you cheerfully confide to me your other secrets, I entreat you not to hide this, and to give me a full description of this wonderful event. I have been favored," said she "with many spiritual and corporeal visions: I had received ineffable consolations from our Lord, and the violence of pure love, had so weakened me physically, that I was obliged to keep my bed. There I prayed incessantly and supplicated God to deliver me from this body of death, in order to unite me more intimately to him. I did not obtain this grace, but it was granted me to be united, as far as I could be, to the pains of his Passion. "And she told me what has given above concerning our Lord's sufferings; then she added: "This share of pain that he condescended to impart to me, made known more distinctly and perfectly to me, my Creator's love; and mine augmented so, that I fell into a state of languor and my soul knew no other desire but that of quitting the body. How shall I describe it to you ? my Saviour daily animated more and more the fire which he had enkindled; my heart of flesh yielded, and love became strong as death. Yes my heart