Chapter 50: Of the renewal * of the Seven Sacraments in her soul, and of fraternal charity

As Gertrude examined her conscience one day, she didcovered some faults which she was extremely anxious to confess ; but as she could not have recourse to her confessor at the time, she began as usual to discover her grief to our Lord, who consoled her thus : " Why," He inquired, " are you troubled, My beloved, since I am the sovereign Priest and true Pontiff, to whom you can have recourse ; and I can renew in your soul with greater efiicacy the grace of the Seven Sacraments, by a single operation, than either priest or Bishop could by conferring each separately ? For I will baptize you in My precious Blood ; I will confirm you in My victorious strength ; I will espouse you in My faithful love ; I will consecrate you in the perfection of My holy life ; I will absolve you from all your sins by the charity of My heart ; I will feed you Myself by My overflowing ten derness, and I will feed Myself also on you ; I will purify you inwardly by so powerful an anointing of the sweetness of My spirit, that all your senses and your actions will breathe the most fervent piety, which, pouring down on you like holy oil, will sanctify you more and more unto life eternal."

Once when the Saint had risen to say Matins, although in a state of extreme weakness, and had already finished the first nocturn, another religious, who was also ill, came to her, and she immediately recommenced the Matins with her, with great charity and devotion. Afterwards, being occupied with God during holy Mass, she perceived that her soul was magnificently adorned with precious stones, which emitted a most admirable brightness. Our Lord then made known to her that she had received those gifts in recompense for her humble charity in having recommenced her Matins for the convenience of a younger t sister ; and that she had received as many different ornaments as she had repeated words. The Saint then remembered some negligence of which she had not been able to accuse herself in confession, on account of the absence of her confessor ; and as she mourned over this to our Lord, He said to her : " Why do you complain of your negligences, — you who are BO richly clothed with the robe of charity, which covers a multitude of sins ? " " How can I console myself," she re plied, " when I still perceive that I am stained by them \ " But our Lord answered : " Charity not only covers sins, but, like a burning sun, consumes and annihilates the slightest imperfections, and overwhelms the soul with merit."

Gertrude once perceived that a person neglected some observances of the Rule, and feared that she would be guilty in the sight of God if she did not correct it, as she knew of it ; but she also apprehended that some who were less strict might think she interfered more than was necessary in trifling matters. This trouble, however, she offered, ac cording to her custom, to our Lord ; who, in order to show how agreeable her devotion was to Him, said to her : " Each time that, for love of Me, you suffer this reproach, or any similar to it, I will strengthen you mightily, and will en compass you, as a city is encompassed with trenches and walls, so that no occupation will be able to distract you, or to separate you from Me ; and, further, I will add to your merit that which any one might have acquired if they had submitted themselves with humility to your admonitions."