Chapter 41: Prayer composed by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, which He promised to hear favourably

ON a similar occasion, as the community recited the Canticle tienedicite adding to each verse prayers proper for the occasion, Gertrude perceived our Lord standing before her ; and at each verse which they recited, prostrate and im ploring pardon, He appeared to raise His left arm, and offer her the Wound of His adorable Side to kiss. As the Saint embraced it several times, our Lord testified that this mark of her love was extremely agreeable to Him. Then she said to Him : " Since I perceive, my most loving Lord, that Thou art pleased with this devotion, do me the favour of teaching me some little prayer which Thou wilt receive with a like charity, when it shall be addressed to Thee devoutly by any one." Then she knew by inspiration, that if any one shall say these words five times with devotion : «* Jesus, Saviour of the world, have mercy on me ! — Thou to whom nothing is impossible, save to refuse mercy to the wretched ; " or, " 0 Christ, who by Thy Cross hast redeemed the world, hear us ! " or, " Hail, Jesus, my loving Spouse ! I salute Thee in the ineffable joys of Thy Divinity ; I embrace Thee with the affection of all creatures, and I kiss the sacred Wound of Thy love ; " or, " The Lord is my strength and my glory : He is my salvation," — if these words are recited in honour of the Five Wounds of the Lord, kissing them devoutly, adding some prayers or good works, and offering them through the sweetest Heart of Jesus Christ, which is the organ of the most Holy Tri- nity, they will be as acceptable to God as the most arduous devotion.

On another occasion, also, when they recited the same Canticle, our Lord appeared to her, making burning flames to pour forth from the crucifix which was usually exposed before the community, and sending them up to God for them ; manifesting to her the excessive love and ardent desire of His Heart, when He interceded with His Father for the welfare of this congregation.