was praying according to her custom, the Saviour of the world appeared to her, holding in his hand the little Silver Cross all enriched with precious Jewels, and he said to her: "Daughter do you recognize this Cross,?" "Perfectly well," replied Catherine, " but it was not so handsome when it belonged to me." " Yesterday " said our Lord, "thy heart gave it to me, an offering of love, and these precious stones represent that love. And I now promise thee, that on the day of judgment, in presence of the angels and of men, I will return it to thee such as it now is, so that it may become thy glory: and at that solemn moment in which I will manifest the justice and the mercy of my Father, I will not conceal it, and will never permit that what you have done for me shall be forgotten." He disappeared after these words, and left Catherine wholly absorbed with gratitude and ready to continue similar alms, as we shall soon see.
Our Lord ravished with the charity of his faithful Spouse, tempted her, for our example and urged her on to great things. One day Tierce having been recited every body left the church; Catherine alone remained with one of her companions to pray longer, and when she descended from the chapel of the Sisters intending to return home, our Lord appeared to her under the form of a young man only half-clad — he appeared to be a stranger and aged about thirty-two or thirty-three. He implored her, in the name of God, to condescend to give him some clothing. Catherine, more and more ardent in alms-giving, said to him: "Wait here a moment, my friend, until I return from the chapel, and I will give you what you ask." And going back into the chapel, she took off, without uncovering herself, aided by her companion, a garment without sleeves which she wore under
