continues St. Bernard, “sweeter than honey and all things is His sweet presence.”[1]
Shown by an example. St. Lidwina, that martyr of charity and patience, can give us testimony of this. This poor virgin was tortured by sickness and pain of mind and body, so that at last she became quite despondent and almost despairing. Her confessor stood by her bedside holding a crucifix, and explained to her, one by one, the mysteries of the Passion. This was some comfort to her, but it was of short duration; for when the priest ceased speaking and the crucifix was withdrawn from her sight her former sufferings returned. Then her confessor thought of a better and more lasting remedy. He advised her to go frequently to holy Communion. “Hitherto,” he said, “the wooden crucifix spoke to you as you held it in your hand; now the living, crucified Jesus shall speak to your heart in His own person.” This remedy was so effective that she was quite changed and strengthened, and in the midst of the most violent pains she experienced such joy and consolation that her only wish was to suffer more. “More suffering, Lord!” she would exclaim, “send me more suffering! Ah, how sweet are the pains that come from Thy loving hand!” So full of comfort and sweetness in sickness is the sacramental presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Confirmed by experience. It is not long since I had a similar experience in the case of a prisoner who was sentenced to die. The poor man had already accepted his doom with resignation, and had made his peace with God by a good confession; yet when the time came for him to receive his last Communion he began to shake and tremble with fear of death, so that I could hardly get him to say a word of prayer by way of preparation, and had almost to drag him to receive holy Communion. But hardly had the sacred Host entered his mouth when he was completely changed and was no longer the same man; for he now became as full of joy and comfort as he was before of fear and anguish. “Now,” he said, “I am quite ready and willing to die! Father, let us pray!” “See,” said I to him, “that is the work of Our Lord whom you have received.” “It must be so,” he answered, “for I am quite satisfied.” The same testimony could be given by many who have been grievously ill if I asked them if they did not experience a special consolation of heart and more resignation to the will of God in their sufferings after they had received holy Communion.
- ↑ Super mel et omnia ejus dulcis præsentia.
