Chapter 37: For the Rogation Days

How we should pray for the just, for sinners, and for the souls in purgatory.

ON the Monday before the Ascension, St. Gertrude pro posed to herself to do something to atone to God for the sins of the whole world ; she then went to visit the sick person before mentioned, and having performed for her many services of charity which exceeded her strength, she offered them to God as an eternal thanksgiving and in satisfaction for all that His creatures had done, contrary to His will. When she had accomplished this, it appeared to her that a vast multitude of men and women were attached to her by a golden chain (which indicated charity), and that she led them to our Lord. He received them from her as a king would receive a prince who brought his enemies to his feet to swear obedience and inviolable fidelity to him.

On Tuesday, as she prayed before Mass for the perfec tion and sanctification of the just, in whatever manner might be most pleasing to her Spouse, our Lord extended His Hand, and blessed them with the victorious sign of the Cross ; and this saving benediction descended into their hearts like dew, which made them nourish, strength ened them, and imparted new beauty to them.

On Wednesday, at the elevation of the Host, she be sought our Lord for the souls of the faithful in purgatory, that He would free them from their pains by virtue of His admirable Ascension; and she beheld our Lord descending into purgatory with a golden rod in His Hand, which had as many hooks as there had been prayers for their souls ; by these He appeared to draw them into a place of repose. She understood by this, that whenever any one prays gene rally, from a motive of charity, for the souls in purgatorv, the greater part of those who, during their lives, have exer cised themselves in works of charity, are released.

Then the Saint repeated these words two hundred and twenty-five times, to salute our Lord's sacred Limbs : " Ave, Jesu, Sponse floride, in jubilo quo ascendisti salutoet collaudo te;"t and it appeared to her that each salutation was presented to our Lord as an instrument of music which sounded most melodiously and in a manner most pleasing to Him, so that He testified how acceptable it was to Him. Those salutations which she had offered with the purest intention emitted the most sublime harmony ; while those she had recited less attentively, sounded mournfully, and were not so harmonious.