Chapter 44: For the Feast of St. John Baptist. Apparition of the Saint — Effects of his intercession

ON the Feast of St. John Baptist, as the Saint assisted at Matins with all possible devotion, this Saint appeared to her, standing before the throne of God, in all the glory of his special prerogative of having baptized our Lord, and being the precursor of Christ. As the Saint considered him thus, she began to reflect why he was always represented as an aged man, and with a care-worn countenance. But

St. John informed her that this manner of representing him served to augment his glory, and that God had ex pressly permitted it, to teach men that the ardent desire which he had of serving Him would have led him to use every effort to combat the injustice and iniquity of men, and to attain to the highest perfection himself, even to old age ; and as he died in these sentiments, God had given him a very high reward for them.

As St. Gertrude inquired if his merits had been in creased on account of his parents having been so perfect and holy, he replied : " Because I had holy parents, I was brought up to a greater love of justice, and therefore I was rendered more worthy of a place near the throne of God. But as for their rank and worldly advantages, I gained nothing by them except by despising them and by seeking to elevate my mind to heavenly knowledge ; so that I have gained a glory similar to that of a soldier, who, returning victorious from battle, rejoices all the more for having overcome more of the snares and surprises of his enemies than others."

During Mass, at which the religious communicated, St. John appeared to her again in crimson vestments, and his mantle was adorned with as many little golden lambs as there had been Communions received in his honour throughout the whole Church. Then she saw the Saint praying for all who had venerated him on that day ; and he specially sought to obtain for them the same grace which he had himself acquired — namely, his zeal and fidelity in. the conversion of sinners.