Chapter 25: Of the union of the soul with Jesus Christ, and how she is pre pared, by the merits of the Saints, to be an agreeable abode for her God

As Gertrude reflected on different instances of instability, she turned to God, and said : " It is my only good to be united to Thee alone, my Beloved." The Lord, inclining towards her and embracing her tenderly, said : " And it is always sweet to me to be united to thee, My beloved." As He said these words, all the saints arose and offered their merits before the throne of God for her soul, that it might become more worthy of being His abode. Then she knew how prompt God is in inclining towards the soul that calls upon Him, and with what joy all the blessed contribute their merits to supply for our unworthiness.

The Saint then exclaimed, in the fervour of her desires : " I salute Thee, my most loving Lord, although I am but a vile and abject creature." And she received this reply from the sweetest mercy of God : " And I salute you also in return, My beloved spouse." By this she knew that each time a soul says to God, " My Beloved, my most dear Lord, my sweetest Jesus," or any other words -which ex press her ardent devotion, He often replies to her in a manner which obtains for her a special privilege of grace in heaven ; like the special glory which St. John the Evan gelist obtained on earth, of being called "the disciple whom Jesus loved."