Page:Lifeofsaintcatha.djvu/85

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the gentle attendant of all my works, I design at first to give them a salutary confusion, in order that they may acknowledge and humble themselves like the Jews and Gentiles when I sent them foolish people whom I filled with my divine wisdom. Yes, I will give them women ignorant and weak by their nature, but prudent and powerful through my grace, to confound their arrogance. If they recognize their folly, if they humble themselves, if they profit by the instructions which I will offer them in these frail but consecrated vases, I will be full of mercy towards them; but should they contemn this salutary disgrace, I will send them so many humiliations, that they will become the scoff of every one. This is the just chastisement which I administer to pride; the more the proud aim at exaltation the lower will I abase them, even beneath themselves. For thee, delay not to obey me, for I wish thee to appear publicly: I will accompany thee on all occasions, I will continue to visit thee and will direct thee in all that thou must do. "

After these words Catherine prostrated herself with filial obedience at the feet of our divine Redeemer; she immediately went forth from her cell, joining her family at table as God had commanded her.

Catherine was corporally with creatures but spiritually she never quitted her divine Spouse. All that she saw and heard was burdensome to her; the strength and ardor of her love rendered like long years, the hours that she passed with men, and she returned into her cell as quickly as she could, in order to meet there Him whom her soul cherished: then she would honor him, and adore him with renewed fervor. Catherine who was favored with an ever-increasing desire of being united to the object of her love, took the resolution of receiving him in holy communion