Chapter II
Of Some Wonderful Things That Occurred At The Commencement Of Catharine'S Relations With The World, And Of Her Exertions In Supplying The Necessities Of The Poor.
Catherine resolved in conformity with the will of her divine Spouse, to live in a manner that would render her useful to her neighbor, and capable of inclining him to virtue. She therefore devoted herself to practices of humility, and by degrees consecrated herself to works of charity, without, however, permitting these to interfere with her fervent prayers and extraordinary penances. She performed the most menial services of the house, as sweeping, washing the dishes, and even the work that strictly appertains to the kitchen department. When the servant was sick, she entirely supplied her place, and also found means to attend to her wants during her sickness; yet these so multiplied occupations did not make Catherine neglect her heavenly Spouse. She was so intimately united to him, that no exterior act nor corporal fatigue was capable of disturbing their delicious interior conversations. Her ecstasies became even more frequent. As soon as the thought of Jesus penetrated her mind, the soul appeared to retire from the sensual part, and the extremities became cold, contracted and insensible. During her ecstasies, she was often lifted above the earth, her body pursuing her soul, in order to show the power of the spirit that attracted her.
Knowing that the surest means of pleasing the divine Spouse was to be charitable towards the neighbor, her
