at once his justice and his mercy. Catherine only asked mercy, but God who cannot separate these two attributes, first manifested justice, and then accorded to the prayers of his faithful Spouse a more striking proof of mercy. He afflicted Palmerina's body, so as to heal her soul, and combatted her rude obstinacy by the sweet charity with which he had enriched his Spouse. He also augmented Catherine's zeal for the salvation of others, by revealing to her the ineffable beauty of that soul which was condemned by her own fault, but which she had miraculously saved by her merits and her prayers. Palmerina's illness did not cure this disposition; on the contrary, her hatred only increased. Catherine tried every means of softening it; she frequently proffered her assistance; sought to console her by testimonies of affection, and rendered her all the services she could imagine; but Palmerina obdurately remained insensible to words and deeds prompted by such tender charity; Catherine's eagerness to serve her even seemed to render her odious, and violent hatred at last provoked her to chase Catherine from the house. Then the supreme Judge laid his hand of justice on that enemy of charity ! strength suddenly forsook her, and without being able to receive the last Sacraments, Palmerina found herself in presence of death, and of eternal condemnation !
As soon as Catherine learned this, she shut herself in her own apartment and fervently conjured her Spouse not to allow a soul to perish on her account — "Lord," said she, "shall I, a wretched creature prove the occasion of loss to a soul created in thy image ? is that the good thou wilt use me to effect ? no doubt my sins have caused the whole, and yet I will continue to claim thy mercy
