Friday, June 7 : Saint Gertrude of Helfta

On a certain Friday, in the evening, Gertrude cast her eyes on crucifix, and, being penetrated with grief, she exclaimed: “Ah, my Creator and my Beloved what cruelties hast Thou not suffered on this day for my salvation! while I, alas have been so occupied that have not devoutly recalled what Thou didst suffer for me each hour, when Thou, who art the Life which vivifies all things, didst will to die for love of me.” To which our Lord answered from the cross: “I have supplied what you neglect, for have accumulated each hour in My Heart what you ought to have accumulated in your heart; in consequence, it is so inflamed with love, that have ardently desired this hour in which you have addressed this prayer to Me, in union with which will offer to God My Father all that I have done for you during this day, and without which even that could not be so advantageous for your salvation. As this Saint touched crucifix devoutly, she learned that if any one only looks on the image of the cross of Jesus Christ with holy intention, God regards him with such goodness and mercy, that he receives in his soul, as in spotless mirror, an image which is so agreeable that the whole court of heaven delights therein; and this serves to increase his eternal glory in the life to come, in proportion as he has practised this act of devotion in this life.
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team