The Book of Divine Consolation of the Blessed Angela of Foligno

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Ninth Vision, Wherein It Was Certified unto Her That in Her Visions and Heavenly Conversations She Had Not Been Deceived


Upon a certain occasion, at the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, some little while after my conversion, I did pray the Blessed Virgin that she would implore her Son to grant me grace whereby I might know that I had not been deceived in the conversations which had been held with me. Then came unto me a heavenly voice promising me that my request should be granted, and saying further: "God hath shown Himself unto thee, hath spoken with thee, and hath endowed thee with understanding of Himself; take heed, therefore, that thou neither speakest, beholdest, nor hearkenest unto anything whatsoever save according unto His will." I perceived that these things were said unto me with much discretion and ripe wisdom. The aforesaid conversations had left me with great joy and the hope of obtaining that for which I had asked, and the foregoing words did, moreover, tell me that God would grant the grace that everything I did should be done with His permission.

I began, therefore, to do the three things which had been told unto me. Accordingly my heart was uplifted from all things earthly and fixed on God. And nothing that I did, or ate, or spake prevented my heart from being always fixed on God; neither could I see, or think, or feel, save according unto God's will. When I had been engaged in prayer and desired to go and eat and drink, I did humbly ask permission, and He answered, "Go and eat with the blessing of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." And thus did He give me permission, sometimes immediately and sometimes later.

This lasted three days and three nights. Finally I beheld God in spirit during Mass, at about the time of the elevation of the Body of Christ. After this vision there remained unto me an indescribable sweetness and great joy, which I do think will never fail me all the days of my life. And in this vision was I assured of all that I had asked; there remained unto me no doubt whatsoever, but I was fully satisfied and persuaded that I had not been deceived in the foregoing conversations.

Tenth Vision and Consolation, Wherein It Was Further Certified unto Her That She Had Not Been Deceived in Her Conversations


Upon another occasion whilst I was at prayer, exceeding pleasant words were spoken unto me after this manner:

"Oh my daughter, who art far sweeter unto Me than I am unto thee; thou art the temple of My delight, and the heart of the Omnipotent God resteth upon thy heart."

Together with these words there came upon me a feeling of the utmost joy, such as I had never before experienced, inasmuch as all the members of my body felt it. And as I did prostrate myself at these words, it was further told me:

"The Omnipotent God loveth thee more dearly than any other woman of this city. He rejoiceth in thee and in thy companion. Do ye both strive, therefore, that your lives be as a light unto all who desire to follow your example; but unto those who follow you not, shall your lives be as a judgment strict and hard."

My soul did here understand that this cruel judgment was pronounced against the learned rather than against the laity, because they do despise these heavenly things by reason of knowing them in the Scriptures. Yet was I told that so great was the love which Almighty God bare unto us that He was continually with us, albeit not with these feelings. And I was told that His eyes were now upon us; whereupon methought that I beheld His divine eyes with the eyes of my mind, and I rejoiced more than I can say. Nevertheless, I do grieve because the words we are now saying are so unworthy.

Albeit I had great joy of this matter, yet did I remember my sins and I did esteem that neither now or at any time had there been in me any good which might be pleasing unto God. Wherefore began I to doubt, seeing that great things had been spoken unto me; and I said:

"If Thou who speakest unto me wert truly the Son of Almighty God, my soul would feel a joy higher and greater than this, and I should not be able to bear it, feeling that Thou wert in me, who am so unworthy."

Unto this He made answer, "I desire not that thou shouldst have a greater or more perfect joy than this at the present time, but I have prepared a greater one for thee. Thou must know that the whole world is full of Me."

And verily I did then perceive that every creature was full of Him. Again He spake unto me, saying, "I can do all things, I can make thee to see Me as when I talked with My disciples and yet to feel Me not."

This was not said unto me in actual words, but my soul comprehended that which He said, and many things greater still, and thus it felt them to be true. Yet in order to be clear whether that which was said was verily true, my soul cried:

"Forasmuch as Thou art Almighty God and the things Thou tellest me are true, give Thou me a sign whereby I may be sure thereof, and release me from this great doubt."

Then I besought Him that He would give me some tangible sign, something which I could see; such as putting a candle into my hand, or a precious stone, or some other thing, or that He would give me any sign He pleased, promising Him that I would show it unto no person save unto whom He should desire. Then He replied:

"This sign that thou seekest is one that would only give thee great joy when thou didst behold or touch it, but it would not free thee from doubt, and thou mightest be deceived by that sign. Therefore will I give thee another sign, better than the one thou seekest, and which will be for ever with thee, and in thy soul thou shalt always feel it. The sign shall be this: thou shalt be ever fervent in love, and the love and the enlightened knowledge of God shall be ever with thee and in thee. This shall be a certain sign unto thee that I am He, because none save I can do this. And this is a sign which I will leave in thy soul, the which is better for thee than that which thou didst ask of Me. My love do I leave in thee, so that for love of Me thou wilt endure tribulations, and if any person speak or do evil unto thee thou wilt be grateful, declaring thyself unworthy of so much mercy. Such is the love which I bare unto you all, for whose sake I patiently and humbly endured all things. Thus thou shalt know whether or not I am in thee if, when any person shall speak or do evil unto thee, thou art not only patient, but even desirous that they should hurt thee and be grateful unto them. And this is a certain sign of the grace of God. And behold, I do now anoint thee with an ointment wherewith a saint called Siricus and many other saints were anointed."

Then did I immediately feel that ointment, and so sweet was it that I longed for death, and that I might die with all manner of bodily torments. The torments suffered by the martyrs who had died for Christ did I esteem as naught, and I desired that for love of Him my torments should be more terrible than theirs, and that the world should cry out upon me with insults and revilings.

Moreover, I rejoiced greatly in praying for those who might work me these evils, and I marvelled not at the saints who prayed for their murderers and persecutors; for not only ought we to pray unto God for them, but we should beseech Him to grant them especial grace. Therefore was I very ready to pray for those who did me evil, to love them with a great love, and to take compassion upon them. In that anointing I did feel such sweetness both within and without that I never felt the like before, and I have no words wherewith I can show forth the least part of it.

This consolation was different, and of a nature unlike the others. For in the others I had desired immediately to quit this world, but in this my desire was that my death should be grievous and prolonged, with all manner of torments, and that my members should suffer all the tortures of the world. Yet all this seemed but a small thing unto me, for my soul knew well that every torment was but a small thing in comparison with the blessings promised in the life eternal. My soul knew of a certainty that it was thus, and if all the wise men of the world had told me the contrary, I should not have believed them. And if I should swear that all who walked upon the aforesaid way would be saved, I should believe that I spake the truth.

This sign did God leave so firmly implanted in my soul, with so bright and clear a light, that methinketh I could endure any martyrdom. This sign, moreover, leadeth continually upon the straight way of salvation, that is to say, it leadeth unto love and the desire to suffer for love of God.

Moreover, I heard the words which God spake unto me, saying, "At the end of these things shalt thou cause to be written, 'Unto God be the thanks,' and whoso desireth to keep the grace which he hath shall not turn his eyes away from the Cross, whether it be joy or sorrow that I do send upon him."

All these aforesaid things concerning this sign did my soul comprehend much more fully than I can explain, and with a completeness whereby I was enabled to understand many more things than I have told here. My love and joy was so great that I can in no wise express it, and may God not impute it unto me for a sin that I have related all this with so many faults and shortcomings.

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Here Begin the Consolations Which She Did Have When Thinking upon the Passion of Christ


First Consolation of the Passion of Christ


As I was once meditating upon the Passion and poverty of the incarnate Son of God, Christ appeared unto me and showed unto me His great poverty, the which He was minded to put into my heart in order that I might clearly see it and diligently reflect upon it. I likewise beheld those for whose sakes He had become poor, and for them I felt such great grief and aversion that my heart did almost fail me.

After this, He did show His Passion unto me more fully. Then I beheld Him poor of kindred and of friends, and moreover so poor of Himself that, having regard unto His humanity, He was not able to help Himself.

Again after this it pleased Him to make me understand more things concerning His Passion than I had ever hitherto heard related. Then did I understand how in His Passion Christ saw that the hearts of those wicked and obstinate men were all turned against Him; He saw how all the members carefully destroyed His name, and how they used great attention and diligence to destroy it speedily; He saw the subtlety, the cunning machinations with which they conspired against Him, and He saw their evil designs, their slanders, rage, and fury, and the plans and preparations which they had made in order that they might most cruelly afflict Him. Of a certainty, the cruelty of the Passion was very great, inasmuch as He foresaw all the pain, the injury and shame.

My soul beheld far more of the Passion than I have will to say, yea, rather will I keep silence. Therefore did my soul then cry aloud, saying:

"Holy Mary, mother of Him who is thus afflicted, give me something of this Passion of the Son of God, for thou hast seen more of it than hath any other saint. Thou hast seen Him with the eyes both of thy body and thy mind, and most intently hast thou observed Him, because thou hast loved Him more than all." And my soul cried again, saying, "Is there here any saint who can tell me aught concerning this Passion, of which I do hear nothing spoken, nor any mention made, in the manner in which my soul hath seen it? For so great is it that I myself cannot describe it. My soul hath seen the Passion of Christ to be so great that, even if Saint Mary saw it in many respects more plainly than did any other saint, not even she — and far less any other — could describe it. And if there be any who can describe it, methinketh it is Thou who hast borne it."

When I had thus seen the Passion of the Son of God, I fell into a much greater grief than ever before, and if my heart had failed me then it would have been no marvel, for when I do even now remember me of these things I begin to grieve, seeing that I have lost that strength of mind which did formerly keep me joyful, wherefore for a long time have I felt no joy.

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Second Consolation of the Passion of Christ


Another time there were shown unto me the bitter suffering in the soul of Christ, the which was so awful that heart cannot imagine nor tongue describe it. And forasmuch as I beheld such suffering in the Virgin's Son, my soul was most grievously afflicted and my own suffering was greater than I had ever felt before.

Seeing how that I could find no ease or joy in this meditation, my soul did perceive many causes and reasons for that bitter suffering. Firstly, because that soul was most holy and entirely without sin, for which reason it deserved no punishment whatsoever. Then, because He endured it for love of us, and we, ungrateful, hostile, and unworthy, did despise and mock at Him even whilst He was redeeming us through His Passion. Then, because the sin of those who crucified Him was exceeding great, and that Soul which did hate and utterly abhor all sin grieved more over this than over any other sin. There were, moreover, many persons who committed this sin, because both Jews and Gentiles who were gathered together for the Feast did conspire against Him, causing Him the utmost grief. Also because of the deep malice and wickedness of His adversaries, whose whole endeavour was to destroy Him, His memory, and His name, and also His elect disciples. He suffered likewise because He had compassion upon those disciples who fell from faith, and He endured persecution for their sakes. He suffered likewise because He had compassion upon His most unhappy mother, and because He found Himself in great trouble without any help or consolation. And finally, He suffered above all things because that most noble soul was dolefully assailed upon every side; every person was unto Him a cause of grief; His Soul felt pain and anguish from all the pain and anguish inflicted upon that most holy, virginal, and delicate Body. And all these things together were laid upon that one most holy Soul.

Many other things were clearly set forth unto me, but I neither can nor will relate them.

Drawn forth out of myself, therefore, I was transformed in the suffering of the Crucified, and the divine mercy did vouchsafe these things unto me: Firstly, that my will was so straitened that I could desire nothing save what He permitted. Secondly, that He hath placed within my soul a state which changeth but little and I possess God in such fulness that I am no longer in that state wherein I was wont to be, but I do walk in such perfect peace of heart and mind that I am contented with all things.

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Third Consolation of the Passion of Christ


I was meditating one time upon the great sufferings borne by our Lord Jesus Christ upon the Cross, and more especially upon the nails, which I did hear were of such a sort that they had driven the flesh of the hands and feet into the wood; and I desired to behold those little pieces of flesh which the nails had so violently driven into the wood.

Then did I feel such great pain because of Christ's pain that I could not stand upon my feet, but I bent mine head and sat me down on the ground; and I beheld Christ, who inclined His head upon mine arms which I had stretched out upon the ground. Then He showed unto me His throat and His arms, whereupon my grief was instantly changed into joy so great and so different from all other joys that I neither saw nor felt aught else; for the beauty of that throat was a thing most great and ineffable. Then I understood that His beauty proceeded from His divinity.

Naught else did He show me saving that most comely and gracious throat, the beauty whereof cannot be likened unto any thing or any colour in the world, save only unto the clearness of Christ's body, which I do sometimes behold when it is raised on high at the elevation.

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Fourth Consolation of the Passion of Christ


Upon the fourth day of the great week I was meditating with grief upon the death of the Son of God, striving to empty my mind of all other things in order that my soul might be the more absorbed in this Passion and Death.

Being, therefore, wholly occupied with the endeavour and desire to cast out every other matter from my mind in order that I might the more speedily and completely think only upon this, I heard the divine voice saying within my soul, "My love for thee was no deceit." This word was as a shock of mortal pain unto my soul, for the eyes of my mind were instantly opened, and I saw that what He said was very true. I saw the working and effect of that delight; I saw all that the Son of God had done for the sake of this love, and I saw what Christ Crucified had borne in life and in death for the sake of this deep and unspeakable love. Wherefore did I understand that it was indeed true that His love for me had been no deceit or jest, but love most perfect and profound. Then did I perceive just the opposite in myself, that is to say, I knew that I loved Him deceitfully and not truly. For this reason did I suffer such mortal pain and intolerable grief that methought I was about to die.

Then were other words spoken unto me, which did make mine anguish greater still; and the words were these:

"Again I say unto thee, My love for thee was no deceit, My service of thee was not feigned, nor was My feeling for thee one of enlargement."

Then cried my soul, saying, "Oh Master, that which Thou sayest is not in Thee, is wholly in me; for never have I loved Thee saving deceitfully. I have served Thee with lies and I have never desired to draw nigh unto Thee in very truth for fear lest I might feel those burdens which Thou didst feel and bear for my sake. Wherefore have I never served Thee sincerely and for Thine own sake, but with negligence and duplicity."

Now when I perceived how that He had loved me sincerely, how that He bore in Him all the signs of true love, and how that He had drawn nigh unto me to such a degree that He was become Man in order that He might more completely bear and feel in Himself all our sufferings, I did feel such exceeding great anguish that my ribs seemed disjointed and methought mine heart would burst asunder. Reflecting, moreover, upon these words, "My feeling for thee was not one of enlargement," I did hear Him say further unto me, "I know thy soul more intimately than it knoweth itself," and these words did increase mine anguish, inasmuch as the more I perceived how intimately God did know me, the more did I realise that I myself had become enlarged.

After this He spake certain words unto me which did manifest and show forth His boundless love, saying:

"If there were any person who desired to feel Me in his mind, I would not withdraw Myself from him; and unto whomsoever did desire to behold Me would I willingly show Myself, and with whomsoever did desire to speak unto Me would I joyfully converse."

These words did arouse in me the desire never to feel or say or do aught which should offend God. And this is what God desireth and especially seeketh in His sons and His elect; for He hath called and chosen them in order that they may think, see, and speak according unto His will, and that they may take heed to do nothing contrary thereunto. Thus was it set forth and told unto me:

"Those who love My poverty, suffering, and contempt are My lawful sons and Mine elect, whose thoughts are fixed on My Passion and Death, for here and nowhere else is found salvation and true life for all; wherefore are these and none others My lawful sons."

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Fifth Consolation of the Passion of Our Lord


Upon a certain occasion when I was in the church of the Blessed Francis, and it was nigh unto the time of the elevation of the Body of our Lord, whilst the organ was playing the angelic hymn, "Holy, holy, holy," my soul was caught up in that Light uncreate, and therein was it so rapt and absorbed in a manner wholly indescribable.

After this (I being still in the first rapture and attraction), there appeared unto me the figure of the Blessed Christ Crucified, as though He had been only just then taken down from the Cross; His blood was as fresh and red and flowed from His wounds as easily as though it had only that instant been shed. Moreover, there appeared such a dissolution of all the members of that blessed body that the sinews and joints of the bones seemed unto me as though loosened from their due harmony — that is to say, from their proper position in the body; and this was caused by the hard and cruel stretching and the horrible ill-treatment of those virgin limbs at the hands of wicked men upon the torturing Cross; nevertheless, the skin was nowhere broken.

At this sight my bowels were so pierced with compassion that verily I seemed all transformed in the pain of the Crucified, both bodily and mentally. And with a sharper knife still was I pierced at the sight of the cruel and violent dissolution of all His limbs, where methought His sinews were loosened and undone and His bones displaced; and so likewise at the sight of the open wounds, for in these did I behold a great secret of the Passion and of the hardness and cruelty of the tortures He had borne.

The sight of the crucified body of the good and beloved Jesus did awaken such great compassion that in all my inward parts and my bones and joints did I feel new pain, and I lamented afresh with terrible anguish.

As I stood thus absorbed in suffering and as though transformed in the pains of the Crucified, I heard Him speak again concerning the devout persons and the followers of His Passion, and those who had taken compassion upon Him. I heard Him give thanks unto them and say:

"Blessed are all ye of my Father, who, having had compassion upon Me and passed through tribulation with Me and followed after My life, have merited to wash your robes in the most precious blood of the Lamb. Blessed are ye who suffer with Me, who am crucified and afflicted with boundless suffering in order that I may offer satisfaction for you and redeem you from immense, bitter, and endless torments, and who have rendered yourselves worthy of it by thus bearing with Me poverty, suffering, and contempt. Blessed are ye who shall remember and be pitiful of My Passion, which is the Miracle of all ages, the salvation and life of the lost and the sole refuge of sinners — for thereby shall ye share in the kingdom, the glory and the resurrection which I have purchased by that same Passion, and ye shall verily be co-heirs with Me for ever and ever. Blessed are ye of My Father and of the Holy Spirit, yea, verily blessed, and ye shall therefore have the blessing which I shall give at the last judgment, inasmuch as ye did not repulse Me when I came unto Mine own place, as did My persecutors, but of your compassion did receive Me into the lodging of your hearts as a desolate pilgrim; when I hanged naked upon the Cross, hungry, thirsty, and sick, and pierced by nails, ye did suffer with Me in My death and desired to be in all things My companions. Herein have ye verily accomplished the works of mercy, wherefore in the last dread hour ye shall hear it said, 'Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' Upon the Cross I did hunger, and at least through your compassion did ye give Me to eat," and then He added most marvellously the remainder of His saying, and I cannot possibly describe the burning love which shone upon these blessed ones from the eyes of that blessed Face of God made Man, Jesus Christ.

After this He spake again, saying, "Oh verily and in all ways blessed are ye; for if upon the Cross I did pray unto My Father with tears and cries for those who crucified and tormented Me, excusing them and saying, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,' what shall I say for you, who have had compassion upon Me and have been My faithful companions, when I shall be no longer upon the Cross, but judging the world in glory and happiness?"

Thus did I remain unspeakably consoled, and mine affection for the Passion of the Son of God was greater than I can express.

And many other words spake He, more than I can know or declare, all of which did kindle my love and inflame it unto the utmost.

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Sixth Consolation of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ


Another time when I was praying and meditating with great grief and compassion in mine heart upon the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, I did bethink me over and over again of how great was the iniquity of all my sins, seeing that before God could be appeased or I could be reconciled unto Him, or obtain remission of those sins, it was needful that the Son of God should not only pray with tears and supplication, but that He should die for this upon the Cross.

I reflected, moreover, upon how complete must be the damnation, how great the infinite miseries and countless torments which awaited me for each mortal sin which I had committed, if, in order to give satisfaction for them, it was needful that not angel or archangel, but the very God, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, should Himself suffer for me and endure the misery of death and the tortures of the Cross.

I did likewise reflect upon mine ingratitude, and how that not only do I nothing in return for such a great benefit, but do even offend Him every day, refusing to remember the benefit of His redemption or, by doing penance, to work together with Him for my salvation. And I was amazed at these things, at the infinite goodness and mercy of God and mine own great iniquity and foolishness. And as I thought upon this, it was shown unto me how that by the Passion of Christ we are liberated from all the sins, torments, and punishments which we have deserved; and this was shown unto me so clearly that scarce could I restrain myself from crying aloud in the presence of all people.

Thus was it told me by the Lord Jesus Christ when He appeared unto me that forasmuch as He had been hanged for us upon the Cross, no man or person whatsoever could excuse himself if he were not saved. For in order to procure salvation it is only needful to act as a sick man acteth with his physician, who, desiring to regain his health, showeth his infirmity and disposeth himself to obey in all that the physician commandeth him. So here likewise is it needful to do naught else, nor to spend money for medicine, but only to show himself unto the Physician by the acknowledgment of his sins, to do that which the Physician ordereth and to take heed that he oppose Him not in any way.

My soul did comprehend that the medicine was Christ's blood, which He giveth freely without price, and it costeth nothing unto the sick sinner save this disposing of himself, and the Physician Christ giveth him health and healeth him of his infirmity.

Then were all my sins shown unto my soul, and I perceived that each member had its special spiritual infirmity. Wherefore, hearing what had been said, the soul did instantly endeavour to show forth all the sins which it had committed with the different members of the body and with all its own strength and powers, saying:

"Oh Lord, Master and Physician of eternal health! Oh my God, forasmuch as by only showing forth unto Thee my infirmities and diseases Thou hast consented to heal me, and because, oh Lord, I am very sick and have no part in me that is not corrupt and defiled, I, wretched that I am, will show Thee, oh Lord, all mine infirmities and all the sins of all my members and of all the parts of my soul and body!"

Then did I begin and point them all out, saying, "Oh Lord, most merciful Physician, look upon mine head and see how ofttimes I have adorned it with the emblems of pride, how I have many times deformed it by curling and braiding my hair, and have committed numerous other sins. Look, oh Lord, upon my wretched eyes, full of uncleanness and envy!"

In like manner I strove to number and show forth all the sins of mine other members. And when He had hearkened thereunto with great patience, the Lord Jesus Christ did gladly and joyfully make answer that He had healed these things one after another — and then, taking pity upon my soul, He said:

"Fear not, My daughter, neither do thou despair; for even wert thou tainted with a thousand deadly diseases, wert thou dead a thousand times, yet could I give thee a medicine whereby thou mightest be healed of everything if thou wouldst only apply it unto thy heart and soul. For the infirmities of thine head which thou hast told and shown unto Me, and for which thou art displeasing unto God and grievous unto thyself, which infirmities thou hast incurred by washing, combing, anointing, colouring, adorning, and braiding thy hair, by setting thyself up in pride and seeking vainglory, for which things thou dost deserve to be cast into the uttermost parts of hell, to be humbled in all eternity and reputed as one most vile, for these infirmities have I given satisfaction and done penance. I suffered the most grievous pain inasmuch as My hair was plucked out and my head pierced by sharp thorns; with a rod was it smitten and covered with blood, it endured all manner of mockery and scorn, and with the vilest of crowns was it crowned.

"For the infirmity of thy face, which thou hast contracted likewise by washing and anointing it, by showing it unto miserable men and seeking their favour, I have made and ordained a medicine. For these sins have I also given satisfaction, for wicked men did spit in My Face, making it all filthy and stained; it was swollen and deformed by rude and heavy blows and a vile cloth was hung before it.

"Moreover, for thine eyes, with which thou hast looked at vain and hurtful things and hast delighted in gazing at many things which were opposed unto God, have I given satisfaction, shedding copious and bitter tears from My eyes which were veiled and filled with blood.

"For the ears wherewith thou hast offended God by hearkening unto vain and hurtful things and taking delight therein, I have done great penance, hearkening unto many grievous things, such as false accusations, slanders, insults, curses, mockings, lies and blasphemies, and finally the wicked judgment spoken against Myself — but above all I did penance in hearkening unto the weeping of My most loving and lowly mother, who grieved for Me with exceeding great grief.

"Because of the sins of thy mouth and throat, wherewith thou didst take delight in feasting and drunkenness and in the sweetness of delicate meats, My mouth hath been dry and empty, hungry and thirsty, it hath fasted and been made bitter with vinegar mingled with gall.

"For the sins of thy tongue, which thou hast let loose in slanders, calumnies, derisions, blasphemies, lies, perjuries, and other sins, I did shut My mouth in the presence of judges and false witnesses, no excuses issued from My mouth, and with all Mine heart did I pray unto God for those who did Me evil, and I always preached the truth.

"Because of the sins of thy power of smell, whereby thou didst delight in flowers, I did smell the abominable spittle which I endured upon My face and eyes and nostrils.

"For the sins committed with thy neck, by shaking it in anger, pride, and lasciviousness, and against the Supreme God, I suffered many and divers blows upon My neck.

"For the sins of thy shoulders and back, whereby thou hast offended in bearing many things which were opposed unto God, I did penance by bearing upon My shoulders the Cross whereon I was to hang.

"For the sins of thy hands and arms, with which thou hast done much wickedness, in embraces, touches, and other evil deeds, My hands were driven into the wood of the Cross by large nails and torn through bearing the weight of My body in Mine agony.

"For the sins of thy heart, with which thou hast sinned through anger, envy, sadness, evil love, and base covetousness, My side and heart were pierced with a sharp spear, and from the wound issued there forth a most potent medicine, sufficient to heal all the passions and sins of the heart — that is to say, water to cool evil desires and loves, and blood for the remission of anger, sadness, and enmity.

"For the sins of thy feet, wherewith thou hast sinned through vain running and dancing and loose walking about for thy pleasure, My feet were not only twisted and bound, but were nailed upon the wood of the Cross; in place of shoes laced and adorned with cut leather, I had feet all bleeding and covered with the blood which flowed from My whole body.

"For the sins of thy whole body, wherewith thou hast sinned by giving it up to delights, repose, and dreams, taking pleasure therein in divers ways, My body was fastened upon the Cross, terribly scourged, and stretched out thereon after the manner of a skin; I was closely fastened upon the hard wood until I was bathed in a bloody sweat which ran down even upon the ground; and finally I suffered here the most dreadful torments, crying aloud, sighing, weeping and lamenting until I died, slain by cruel men for the sins of thine ornaments and thy needless, vain, and curious raiment. I was hung naked upon the Cross, and vile men stripped off My tunic and My vest and cast dice for them before Mine eyes. And, naked as when I was born of the Virgin, in the cold, the wind, and the air, I was exposed and stretched out on high in the sight of all men and women, in order that I might be the more easily seen and mocked at and might suffer the greater shame.

"Because of the sin of thy wealth, wherewith thou hast done evil by acquiring, wrongfully spending, and saving it, I have been poor, possessing neither palace, nor house, nor hut, wherein I might be born or where I might dwell during My lifetime; in death I should have had no sepulchre wherein I might rest (but should have been left a prey unto dogs and birds) if one had not been moved through compassion of My misery to receive Me into his own sepulchre. My blood and My life have I given unto perverse and sinful men; nothing whatsoever have I kept for Myself, but in life and death have I desired to be and to remain poor for ever.

"But wherefore should I say more? Howsoever thou mayest discourse, thou canst not find any sin, any disease of the soul, for the which I have not brought the true medicine and given sufficient satisfaction for all sinners and for all the infinite torments and grievous pains which the wretched soul ought to suffer in hell. But if thou remainest not in thy neglectfulness thou needest lament no longer, if only thou dost here suffer with Me and have compassion upon Me always, and be My companion in poverty, ignominy, and contempt as long as thou livest. Mary Magdalene, who was sick, had all these things and desired to be wholly liberated from them. Wherefore was she healed of all her infirmities — and in like manner can all persons who have these things find health as she did."

The Crucified One spake further unto me and said:

"When these My sons, who through sin have departed from My kingdom and made themselves sons of the devil, do return unto the Father, He hath great joy of them and showeth them His exceeding great delight in their return. So great is the Father's joy at their conversion that He bestoweth upon them supernatural grace, the which He giveth not unto virgins who through sin have not departed from Him. And this He doth because of the boundless love which He beareth them, and because of the pity which He hath of their wretchedness; also because they do grieve for that they have offended so great a Majesty and do know themselves to be worthy of hell.

"Because of these two reasons, even he who hath been the greatest sinner may find the greatest grace and mercy."

After this the Lord spake unto me again and said:

"Whosoever desireth to find grace must not lift his eyes from the Cross, whether I do grant and permit him to live in joy, or whether he live in sorrow."

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Seventh Consolation of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ


Upon another occasion, as I was gazing at the Cross with the Crucified, and was looking at the Crucified with my bodily eyes, such a fervent love was suddenly kindled in my soul that even the members of my body felt it with great joy and delight. I saw and felt that Christ embraced my soul with the arm wherewith He was crucified, wherefore I rejoiced with a joy greater than I had ever had before.

From this time forth there hath remained unto me a certain joy and clear enlightenment, whereby the soul knoweth and understandeth how it is that we see our flesh made one company with God. And this true delight of the soul was more unspeakable, this joy was more constant and this enlightenment was clearer than I had ever had before. There remained unto me, therefore, so complete an assurance and certainty of my state that I had no more doubt whatsoever but that this state is most certainly from God, and likewise that the admonitions or words which I heard within me are also from God. And I marvelled how hitherto I could possibly have doubted this. And so entirely certain was I of this state that I could not have believed otherwise even if all the men in the world had told me the contrary.

Even now, when I am rapt in this vision and embrace, my soul is so filled with joy that I can feel no sadness whatsoever of the Passion, albeit I see that that Hand is wounded. All my joy lieth now in Christ Crucified, and sometimes it seemeth unto my soul that in the aforesaid close embrace it entereth into the side of Christ — and the joy which my soul hath of this illumination cannot be described, for it is so great that sometimes I cannot stand upon my feet, but do fall down and lose my speech.

Here End the Consolations of the Passion of Christ.

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Here Begin the Consolations and Visions Which She Did Have of the Sacrament of the Altar


The first vision was, that upon one occasion whilst Mass was being said, and as I was striving to think with devotion of the humility of God and of His supreme goodness (in that it pleased Him to come unto us in the Sacrament of the Altar), I was exalted in spirit and obtained a new and clear understanding of how God cometh in the aforesaid Sacrament.

Firstly, it was told me that, by virtue of His divine power, the body of Christ could be upon every altar, a thing not to be comprehended in this present life. And although much is said in the Scriptures of that power, those who read do nevertheless understand but little of it. "But those who feel something of Me," said God, "do understand more of it; nevertheless, neither the former nor the latter do fully understand, but the time cometh when ye shall understand."

After this I was enlightened and did comprehend in a manner clearer than had been shown me either before or afterwards, how God cometh in this Sacrament. I beheld how Christ cometh together with a most beauteous company, at whose beauty I marvelled greatly. And desiring to know who they were, it was told me that they were the thrones. That company was most bright, and was an exceeding numerous multitude; so that if I had not known that God doeth all things with measure, I should have deemed it to be without number or measure, but innumerable; for it could not be measured either in length or breadth, but was ineffable.


Second Vision of the Sacrament of the Altar

Being in the church of Foligno at the Feast of the Angels in September, I desired to communicate, and I prayed unto the holy angels, especially unto Saint Michael and the seraphim, saying:

"Oh ye ministering angels, who have received power and office from God that ye may administer Him unto others by showing forth His knowledge and love, I do beseech you that ye present Him unto me such as the Father of Mercies did give Him unto men, such as He desireth that I should receive and worship Him — that is to say, as one poor, suffering, despised, wounded, bleeding, crucified, and dead upon the Cross."

Then did the angels reply unto me with infinite graciousness and sweetness:

"Oh thou who art pleasing unto God, behold, He hath been administered unto thee and is present with thee, and moreover, it is given unto thee to administer and present Him unto the others."

And verily, I did then have Him present with me, and I did of a certainty behold Him with mine eyes in that Sacrament in the manner as I had prayed — that is to say, poor, suffering, bleeding, crucified, and dead upon the Cross. At the sight of such a grievous vision I did then feel a pain so exceeding sharp that methought mine heart would burst. On the other hand, however, I was filled with joy and gladness because of the presence of the angels, and if I had not myself beheld them, I should never have believed that angels were so pleasing, or that they could have filled the soul with so much joy.

Now whilst the Mass was being said, there was a priest who was celebrating near unto the time of the Communion. And as he was taking the Body of Christ and breaking the Host, I heard a voice weeping and saying, "Alas, many are there who break Me in pieces and who do even draw blood from My back!" I did therefore think that the priest was not in a state meet for receiving the Body of Christ, and I prayed, saying, "Grant that he may not be such a one," and instantly it was answered me, "He shall not be thus eternally."


Third Vision of the Sacrament of the Altar

Another time I was in church hearing Mass, and about the time of the elevation of the Body of Christ (when the congregation kneeleth down to adore it), I was uplifted in spirit, and the Blessed Virgin appeared unto me in a vision and said:

"Oh my daughter, sweet unto my Son and unto me, my Son is now come unto thee and thou hast received His blessing."

Then did she make me to understand that after the consecration of the Host, her Son was upon the altar, as though she were telling me some new thing with great joy. And these words gave me such pleasure and delight that I neither think nor believe that there be any person who could possibly relate it. For the Blessed Virgin told this unto me with great humility, and with a new feeling and the utmost sweetness. Wherefore I marvelled how that I had been able to remain standing, so great was my joy.

Then she spake again and said — "Forasmuch as thou hast received the blessing of my Son, it is meet that I should come unto thee and give thee mine likewise." Then did she bless me, saying, "Be thou blessed of my Son and of me, and strive thou with all diligence and earnestness to love Him to the utmost of thy power; for thou art greatly beloved and shalt attain unto that which is infinite."

Then was my joy greater than before, and it was yet more increased at the elevation of the Body of Christ. Yet I beheld nothing in the Body of Christ as I had hitherto beheld it, but I felt Christ verily within my soul.

Thus came I to know by this that there is nothing which so filleth the soul with the burning fire and delight of love as having Christ within. For this is the fire of sweetest love, and when it burneth in the soul, then know I that God is verily there likewise, because none other can produce this effect. Then do all my members feel as though they were loosened and disjointed, and when they are thus loosened they do make a noise. This do I feel chiefly during the elevation of the Body of Christ, and especially in my hands, which become disjointed and fall apart.


Fourth Vision of the Sacrament of the Altar

Another time, when I came to communicate, a heavenly voice spake unto me and said — "Oh beloved, in thee is all good, and thou goest to receive all good."

Whereupon I began to think, "If all good is in thee, wherefore goest thou to receive it?" Unto this came an answer immediately, "Although all good is in thee, it will not be effaced by that which thou art now going to receive." And as I drew nigh unto the Communion, the voice spake again and said, "Now is the Son of God upon the altar, according both unto His divinity and His humanity, and with Him is a multitude of angels."

And forasmuch as I desired greatly to behold Him with the angels, God was then shown unto me. I saw Him not in any form whatsoever, but I beheld plenitude and beauty — that is to say, I beheld all goodness. And it was told unto me, "Beloved, thus shalt thou stand before Him in the life eternal," and the comfort my soul derived therefrom cannot be described.

When I communicate, the Host swelleth in my mouth for a little time after I have received it, and it hath a taste neither of bread nor of meat such as we do eat, but it hath quite another taste which resembleth nothing in the world. Moreover, the Host is not hard as heretofore, and doth not go down my throat in little pieces, but it goeth down whole, and it is so sweet that I would willingly hold it in my mouth for a great while if I had not heard it said that man should swallow it instantly. Thus it goeth whole down my throat, with that taste of an unknown meat, and — saving that it is the custom — there is no need to drink anything after it in order to swallow it more easily. And as it goeth down my throat it produceth in me a great feeling of pleasure, which is apparent outwardly in the body, for it maketh me so to tremble that scarcely can I hold the cup.

Now, when I do make the sign of the Cross and place my hand upon mine head, saying, "In the name of the Father," I feel nothing new. But when I place my hand upon my heart, saying, "and of the Son," I do instantly feel such love and consolation that methinketh I have found Him there.

This would I not have related or caused to be written down like the other things had I not been advised thereunto.


Fifth Vision of the Sacrament of the Altar

During a certain time of sickness I greatly desired to communicate at the Feast of the Angels, and forasmuch as there was no person to bring me the most holy Body of Christ, I began to grieve exceedingly.

Then, in the midst of my grief and desire for Communion, behold, I began to reflect upon that same Feast of the Angels, upon their praise-giving, and how they do praise the Lord continually; and I reflected upon the office of the angels, which is to praise God, to serve Him and minister unto Him. And behold, I was then suddenly exalted, and I saw before me a great multitude of angels; and they led me unto an altar and said unto me, "This is the altar of the blessed angels." And upon the altar did they show unto my soul Him whom the angels praise, that is to say, they showed Him who is all praise; and they said —

"In Him who is now upon the altar is the true perfection and complement of the most worthy sacrifice which thou seekest. Wherefore prepare thyself worthily to receive Him, for He hath espoused thee with the ring of His love and the marriage hath already been celebrated, but now wilt thou see a new way of accomplishing the marriage."

I cannot describe the great joy which I had of this, for my soul felt it all in very truth, seeing that it was more full of meaning than can be related in words. Hereby was it also signified unto me that I should presently depart out of this world, because this thing happened at the beginning of my last illness.


Sixth Vision of the Sacrament of the Altar

Another time I beheld Christ in the consecrated Host as a Child. He appeared certainly to be a child of twelve years of age, very lordly, as though He held the sceptre and the dominion. He appeared to hold something in His hand as an emblem of lordship, but I know not what, and although I saw it with my bodily eyes I cannot say what it was that He held in His hand. When I beheld Him I did not kneel down like the others, so great was my delight at beholding Him, but I was much displeased and grieved because the priest replaced the Host too soon upon the altar.

Verily, His beauty and adornment cannot be described, and so great was my joy at the sight of Him that I do think it will never fade, and there was such certainty with it that I do in no way doubt of the truth thereof. And finally, my delight in that vision was so great that I asked no help of Him and spake neither good nor evil, for I was so absorbed in the delight of that beauty that I knew not what to say.


Seventh Vision of the Sacrament of the Altar

Another time whilst Mass was being celebrated I was uplifted in spirit, and I did question the Lord, saying —

"Behold, Lord, Thou art in this Sacrament of the Altar, but tell me where are Thy faithful ones?"

Then opened He mine understanding and made answer, "Where I am, there are My faithful ones with Me."

Then I perceived that it was so, and I comprehended clearly that in every place where He was, there should I be also. But this being is not the being within God, but the being which is outside of Him. And it is He alone who is in every place and comprehendeth all things.

I have many times seen the Body of Christ in divers forms in this Blessed Sacrament. For sometimes I have seen the throat of Christ more splendid and beauteous than the sun, and by that beauty was it certified unto me that God Himself was here, seeing that it was incomparably greater than the sun both in beauty and quantity, wherefore doth it greatly grieve me that I cannot make it manifest. Sometimes I have seen two eyes of great splendour, and so large that I beheld nothing of the Host save the edge thereof.

At the sight of both these things was I refreshed with so much joy that I cannot compare the one with the other, because both are so great that I do think I shall never lose them.

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Here Begin the Visions Wherein She Was Comforted by the Blessed Virgin


First Vision of the Blessed Virgin

Upon one occasion I was exalted in spirit although I was not then at prayer, but as it was after dinner I had sat me down to meditate, and therefore I was not thinking about it in any way. And suddenly my soul was uplifted to behold and contemplate the Blessed Virgin Mary in glory; and beholding a woman placed in such nobility, glory and dignity as was she, I was filled with marvellous delight, and the sight did produce in me most immense joyfulness. The glorious Virgin was praying for the human race, and so great was her exaltedness, humanity, and virtue that she was wholly ineffable, wherefore was my joy unspeakable.

And as I gazed at these things, Jesus Christ did suddenly appear in that place, seated beside her in glorified humanity. And as I gazed at Him (albeit I knew how His flesh had been tormented, lacerated, reviled, and ignominiously crucified, and miraculously knowing all the heavy sufferings, injuries, scoffings, and vilenesses borne for our sake), I did in no wise grieve, indeed, it is impossible to describe the delight I had thereof, and my speech failed me, so that methought I was about to die. I say, moreover, that it was unto me an exceeding great grief that I did not die, so that I might speedily attain unto that unspeakable thing which I beheld.

This vision endured for three days in succession, and I was not hindered from eating, albeit I ate but little. My body did lie down in constant weakness and I spake not at all. Nothing else did hinder me, but when I heard God spoken of I could not contain myself for my immense joy.


Second Vision of the Blessed Virgin

When I was in the church of the Brothers Minor at Foligno upon the morning of the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, a voice spake unto me, saying, "This is the hour wherein the Virgin Mary came into the Temple with her Son." This thing did my soul hear with exceeding great love; thereupon it was exalted and I beheld our Lady entering that place. My soul advanced to meet her with great reverence and love; but because it feared somewhat to approach near unto her, our Lady did greatly reassure it, and holding out her Son towards me, she said, "Oh lover of my Son, take Him!" And with these words she placed her beloved Son in mine arms. And as I gazed upon Him, His eyes appeared to be fast closed as though He were asleep, and He was wrapped in clothes, or rather swaddled.

Our Lady, who was wearied by walking, then sat her down and made such beautiful, fair, and pleasing gesture (showing how honest and gracious were her manners), that for the sweetness and delight which it had of beholding her my soul was not only unable to look at the Lord (whom I held clasped in mine arms), but it was constrained only to contemplate our Lady herself.

And as I stood thus, the Child remained all naked in mine arms; and opening His eyes He lifted them and looked to me. And at the look of those eyes I did suddenly feel myself filled with so much love that I was altogether overwhelmed. Because from those eyes there issued forth such splendour and fire of love and joy that it is a thing indescribable. After that there appeared suddenly a great and ineffable Majesty, saying —

"He who beholdeth Me not small will not behold Me great." After this He added, "I am come unto thee and have offered Myself unto thee in order that thou mayest offer thyself unto Me."

Then did my soul in a manner most marvellous and indescribable offer itself unto the Lord; finally I offered myself wholly, and likewise my children who followed after me perfectly. I offered myself in all things, keeping back nothing whatsoever either of mine own possessions or of theirs, and my soul understood that God had very willingly accepted this offering, receiving it with great readiness. Wherefore I cannot tell how great was the joy, jubilation, and delight which my soul felt when it saw that God accepted my offering with so much joyfulness and graciousness.

Yet another time did I behold the glorious Virgin Mary and she exhorted me to go unto Communion, giving me her blessing and relating unto me the sufferings of compassion which she had for her Son.


Here End, the Visions of the Sacrament of the Altar.