23. Of the vision of a heavenly table filled by the alms of the poor

And how pleasing to God were the alms of this virgin was revealed to her in ecstasy by a certain heavenly vision. Whence when she was rapt into Para dise she often saw first tables set, and covered with cloths of green silk, then her alms as if set by the citizens of heaven placed upon the same, never however lessened at all, but rather increased. But the liquor which she was wont to give in stone jars, she saw there presented in transparent vases as it were of crystal, and the dried fish given for her departed niece Petronilla likewise set. She saw also a glorious gathering of the blessed, all in their rank in different grades, approach the table in due time as if to take refresh ment; and the priests holding aloft chalices, and the rest according to their dignity bearing befitting escutcheons, and herself also sometimes assist, and serve, or sit down with the guests ; and drink given to them that were seated ST. LYDWINE of SCHIEDAM and to herself, and all filled with un speakable joy and gladness, over such great charity shown them by her. If ever on those tables she saw nothing- of her own almsgiving represented, she was greatly ashamed, as if all had brought their respective portions, but she herself had contributed nothing. Whence both for the sake of increasing the glory of almsgiving, and because of the confusion suffered, she made haste afterwards to add to her alms. Some times, however, the angel her guide led her to a certain cell apart and spacious, in which he served her her refreshment. This refection, even if she felt it to be ineffable, nevertheless as much as she was able to describe it, she said was a certain heavenly and divine light, whereby she was divinely refreshed and inebriated. Sometimes also by prayers she obtained of the angel that she might take one of those who were familiar and dear to her to taste these things; and although seeing in their sleep, they felt that something of the kind was happen ing to them, nevertheless it was in a very different and inferior manner than befell herself.

Here endeth the First Part of the Book.

Life of Lydwine, Virgin Part II