A soul rises up, restless with tremendous desire for God’s honor and the salvation of souls. She has for some time exercised herself in virtue and has become accustomed to dwelling in the cell of self-knowledge in order to know better God’s goodness toward her, since upon knowledge follows love. And loving, she seeks to pursue truth and clothe herself in it.

It is true, then, that the soul is united to God through love’s affection.

FROM THE DIALOGUE BY CATHERINE OF SIENA, 1378