In Rome there was a woman
known
by
the name of 'Catherine the Fair,' who was leading a most disorderly
life.
She once heard Saint Dominic preaching on the devotion of the Rosary,
had
her name enrolled in the confraternity, and began to recite it, but
without
changing her life. One evening a young man of noble mien came to visit
her: she received him with courtesy, but, whilst they were at supper,
she
remarked, that as he was cutting bread drops of blood fell from his
hands,
and then she saw that there was blood on all the food he took. She
asked
him what was the meaning of this. The young man replied, that 'the food
of a Christian should be tinged with the blood of Jesus Christ, and
seasoned
with the remembrance of His passion.' Astonished at such an answer,
Catherine
asked him who he was. 'Later,' he said, 'I will tell you.' Then going
into
an adjoining room, the appearance of the young man changed; he was
crowned
with thorns; his flesh all mangled and torn; and he said: 'Desirest
thou
to know Who I am? Dost thou not recognize Me? I am thy Redeemer. O,
Catherine,
when wilt thou cease offending Me? See what I have endured for thee.
Thou
hast now tormented Me enough; change thy life.'
Catherine
burst into sobs and tears,
and
Jesus,
encouraging her, said: 'Love Me now as much as thou hast offended Me;
and
know that I have granted thee this grace on account of the Rosary thou
hast recited in honor of My Mother.' He then disappeared. On the next
morning
Catherine went to confession to Saint Dominic, distributed all she had
to the poor, and ever afterwards led so holy a life that she attained a
very high degree of perfection. Our Blessed Lady appeared many times to
her, and our Lord Himself revealed to Saint Dominic that this penitent
had become very dear to Him.
The Glories of Mary
The Glories of Mary