CHAPTER 41
For Monday in Whitsun Week.

How the oblation of the Sacred Host supplies for our deficiencies. Exercises for the Agnus Dei.

ON MONDAY, at the Elevation, St. Gertrude offered the Sacred Host in satisfaction for her deficiencies in acquiring spiritual goods, and even for extinguishing the light of the Holy Spirit. It appeared to her that this Sacred Host emitted a number of branches, which were collected by the Holy Spirit and placed in the form of a hedge round the throne of the Ever-Blessed Trinity. From this she understood that the excellence and dignity of this great Sacrament supplied fully for all her negligences. A voice also came forth from the throne, which said: “Let her who has given such rare flowers to her Spouse approach His Divine and nuptial couch without fear.” She understood by this that God considered her perfect in habits of virtue, in consideration of the oblation which she had made to Him of this Most Holy Sacrament.

At the first Agnus Dei she prayed for the whole Church, as usual, beseeching God to govern it in all things as a true Father. At the second Agnus Dei she prayed for the faithful departed, that He might show mercy to them, and release them from all their pains. At the third Agnus Dei she asked for an increase of merit for all the Saints and the elect who should reign with Him in Heaven. At the words Dona nobis pacem Our Lord inclined so lovingly toward her that the sweetness of His embrace penetrated into the depth of the hearts of all the Saints, and they received thereby an immense increase of grace and merit.

After this, as she approached the Holy Communion, the Saints rose up before her with honor and joy, and she saw that the light of their merits shone gloriously, even as a shield of gold shines when exposed to the rays of the sun; and the reflection of this light shone into her soul.

St. Gertrude then remained in the presence of God, as if in expectation, because she had not yet obtained the grace of being united to Him. At last, after Communion, her soul was united to this Divine Spouse with such plenitude, that she enjoyed His presence in the most perfect manner possible in this world. Then the branches of which we have already spoken, with which the Holy Spirit had surrounded the throne of the Ever-Blessed Trinity, began to shoot forth green leaves and flowers, even as a plant flourishes after abundant rain, so that the ever-peaceful Trinity found ineffable pleasure therein, and all the Saints experienced new delights.