Chapter 69: The value of exact obedience

As the Hebdomadaria recited the chapter at Matins by heart, it was revealed to Gertrude that she acted thus to satisfy a precept of the Rule * which requires that it should be recited thus, and that she acquired as much merit by tliis as if as many persons as there were words in what she chanted interceded for her with God. She remembered what St. Bernard has said will happen at the hour of death, when our actions will address us thus : " You have produced us ; we are your work ; we will never leave you, but will abide continually with you, and appear with you at the judgment." Then God will permit all the actions of the obedient to appear as so many persons of distinction, •who will console him, and intercede for him with God ; so that each good action performed through obedience, with a pure intention, will obtain the pardon of some negligence, and thereby afford extreme consolation to persons in their agony.