Chapter 20: For the Feast of the glorious St. Benedict

Dih beatitude and glory of this Saint shown to St. Gertrude — The particular recompense reserved for those who observe re gular discipline faithfully.

ON the Feast of the glorious father St. Benedict, St. Ger trude assisted at Matins with special devotion to honour so excellent a father ; and she beheld him in spirit, standing in the presence of the effulgent and ever-peaceful Trinity,

366 THE REVELATIONS OB1 ST. GERTRUDE.

radiant with glory. His countenance was full of majesty and beauty; his habit shone surpassingly; while bright and living roses seemed to spring forth from his limbs, each rose producing another, and these others, the last sur passing the first in fragrance and beauty, so that our holy father, blessed both by grace and by name, being thus adorned, gave the greatest pleasure to the adorable Trinity and the heavenly court, who rejoiced with him because of his beatitude. The roses which thus sprang forth from him signified the exercises which he had used to subjugate his flesh to his spirit, and all the holy actions which he had performed, and also those of all whom he had drawn by his persuasions or induced by his example to leave the world and live under regular discipline, who, following him in this royal road, had attained, or will yet attain, to the port of the celestial country and to life eternal, each of whom is a subject of particular glory to this great patri arch ; and for which all the saints praise God, and congratu late him continually.

St. Benedict also carried a sceptre, which was marvel lously embellished on each side with precious stones of great brilliancy. As he held it in his hand, the side which was turned towards him emitted a glorious light, which indicated the happiness of those who had embraced his Rule and amended their lives, and on their account God overwhelmed him with inconceivable joy. On the side which was turned towards God, the Divine justice shone forth which had been magnified in the condemnation of those who had been called to this holy Order, but who had rendered themselves un worthy of it, and therefore had been condemned to eternal flames ; for it is just that he whom God has called to the

" Sanctissimus Pater, gratia et nomine Benedictus.'

HOW ST. BENKDfCT UIKD STANDING AND PRAYING 307 holiest of Orders should be most severely punished if he lives an evil life.

Now, as St. Gertrude offered the blessed father the recital of the entire Psalter in his honour, on the part of the community, he appeared exceedingly rejoiced, and he offered the verdure with which he was adorned for the welfare of those who sought his protection with pure hearts, and walked in his footsteps by faithful observance of his Rule.

While the Response, Grandi Pater fiducia morte stetit preciosa was chanted, St. Gertrude said to him : " Holy father, what special reward have you received for your glorious death?" He replied: "Because I gave up my last breath while I was in prayer, I now emit a breath of such surpassing sweetness, that the saints delight to be near me." Then she besought him, by his glorious death, to assist each religious of that monastery in their last hour. The venerable father replied : " All who invoke me, re membering the glorious end with which God honoured me, shall be assisted by me at their death with such fidelity, that I will place myself where I see the enemy most dis posed to attack them; thus, being fortified by my presence, they will escape the snares which he lays for them, and depart happily and peacefully to the enjoyment of eternal beatitude."