CHAPTER 60
For the Dedication of a Chapel.

Of the presence and grace of God in holy places. And how the Angels supply for our obligation of praising God.

AT THE consecration of the church, as the Response Vidi civitatem163 was chanted at Matins, Our Lord appeared to St. Gertrude, clothed in pontificals, and enthroned near the altar, as if this was the place which He delighted to inhabit. As she beheld this, and considered how far Our Lord was from the place where she prayed, she desired very ardently to draw Him nearer to her; but He said: “Since I fill Heaven and earth, why can I not fill this house? Do you not know that it is better to watch the place where the arrow falls than that where the bow is bent? And know that I do not act most effectively where I appear corporally, but rather where My treasure is, and where the Eye of My Divinity finds pleasure.” Then He touched the altar as if it had been near Him, saying: “Whoever seeks for My grace, will find Me in My favors; and whoever seeks My love faithfully, will feel Me in interior sweetness.” By these words she understood the great difference between those who endeavor to obtain health of body, and even of soul, according to their own will, and those who commit themselves with full confidence to Divine Providence.

As the words Domus mea164 were repeated at Mass, Our Lord touched the heart of Gertrude with His Right Hand, and exclaimed, as if He was deeply moved: “I will grant all you ask Me”; at the same time extending His Hand to the center of the church, as if to indicate that He would always be there, and ready to grant the favors which were asked of Him. While the Antiphon Fundamenta templi ejus [“the foundations of His Temple”] was chanted at the Benedictus during the week, angelic spirits appeared around the walls, as if they had been deputed to guard the church, and to repel the attacks of all enemies. Their golden wings touched each other, and emitted a most exquisite melody. She observed also, that each descended in turn from the top to the bottom, to show with what vigilance they guarded their fellow-citizens, and preserved them from every evil.

On the Feast of the Dedication, as St. Gertrude was confined to bed, she reflected on the special favor Our Lord had granted her at Matins, in the preceding year, by telling her that the nine choirs of Angels had made thanksgiving for her, which her infirmity had prevented her from making herself. Then she saw a river of pure and sparkling water flowing through Heaven, in which the glory of God shone as the rising sun shines red upon the ocean; and as its little waves broke and glittered, it appeared as if a thousand suns were shining in Heaven. This river signified the grace of devotion which she then enjoyed by the Divine favor, and the little waves signified the thoughts which she referred to God.

Then the King of Glory dipped a chalice in this river, and when He had filled it, He gave it to all the Saints to drink; and as each obtained thereby new delights, they broke forth in praises and thanksgiving for all the graces which God had conferred on this soul. She also saw a little tube which came forth from the bottom of the chalice to all those whom she had inclined to serve God with great fervor, or who had been commended to her prayers: and they received great consolation thereby. Then she said to Our Lord: “What advantage will these persons gain by what I have seen and heard, when they have neither seen nor heard them?” He replied: “Is it not very advantageous for the head of a family to have his cellars well supplied with wine, although he does not constantly drink it? Is it not sufficient for him to be able to partake of it whenever he desires? Thus when I pour forth graces, in answer to the prayers of My elect, they do not immediately feel devotion; but I will allow them to experience this sweetness whenever I consider it expedient for them.”