FROM THE ST. GERTRUDE AND ST. MECHTILDE BOOK TO CERTAIN SAINTS ...
BEAUTIFUL INSTRUCTIONS!
INSTRUCTIONS ON THE MANNER IN WHICH THE SAINTS ARE TO BE HONORED
When St Gertrude wished to honor any particular saint, she was accustomed to give God thanks for all the graces He had bestowed on that saint, by repeating several times the psalm; Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes. She found by experience that when we thus thank God on behalf of any saint, He increases grace in our souls through the merit of that saint.
On one occasion she seemed to see many persons clothed and adorned with the merits of St. Bernard, and was much astonished, as those persons had not done works like his. What, then, said St. Bernard to her, is she less beautiful who is adorned with the ornaments of another, than she who is adorned with her own? Assuredly not; and thus it is in regard of the merits of the saints obtained by those who praise God on their behalf; they are conferred on them with so great love that they will be to them matter of everlasting joy. Remember this, therefore, and if you say the Divine Office, bow your head at the "Gloria Patri, with the intention of thanking God for the graces He has bestowed on the saint whose feast you are celebrating.
On another occasion St. Gertrude offered to the Blessed Virgin 150 Ave Maria's which she had said in Her honor; and it seemed to her as though every word thus presented was a piece of golden coin. And she felt within herself that whenever we commit the end of our life to any saint by special prayers, those prayers are borne up before the throne of the Judge; and the saint to whom they were addressed is appointed by God the advocate of those who have offered them, to provide them all manner of good according to their need. In like manner St. Mechtilde, having asked one of her sisters departed, who had appeared to her in radiant glory after her death: Tell me, my beloved Sister, of what avail to you are the prayers we offer for you? received this answer: I receive every word of them from your mouth as so many blooming roses, which I offer with joy to my Beloved. And having spoken thus, she showed her under her glorious mantle roses of exquisite bloom, having a leaf of gold in the midst. And being asked what was signified by that golden leaf, she answered: It signifies those prayers which are offered of devotion without obligation. And she added, moreover: Whenever any one addresses his prayer to any saint, that saint receives all the words of his mouth as if they were fresh blooming roses of spring. And if you say an Our Father to all saints, with the intention, were it possible, of saying one for each of the saints, your intention if accepted by them as though you had really done so. {wow!}
It is likewise most pleasing to the saints to salute them in and through the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and especially if you offer them that Divine Heart; because through It and from It they receive the most consummate and ecstatic delights. {what wonderful information this is for us all!}
