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 supplicating him to deign to make his will known to those who opposed her, above all to her Confessor, whom she dreaded to offend.

She could not say to him, as did the apostles to the chief priests: "It is better to obey God than men." (Acts V. 29) She would have been answered that the demon transforms himself into an angel of light; that we should not rely on our own prudence, but follow the counsels given. The Lord heard Catherine on this occasion as in others; he enlightened her Confessor, and changed his opinion; but that did not hinder others thinking ill of her, and failing in discernment. Had they examined attentively, how God had unveiled to her the artifices of Satan; how he had taught her to combat and obtain glorious victories; had they remarked to what a high degree she was endowed with the gift of understanding, and what reason she had to say with the Apostle: "we are not ignorant of its wickedness." Non enim ignoramus astucias ejus. (II. Cor. xi 11) — they would have observed silence, and not dared, in the imperfection of their knowledge, to exalt themselves above so perfect a master. Little rivulets ought not to change the course of majestic rivers; I have often said this formerly to those who censured Catherine, and I repeat it here, so that certain individuals may profit by it.

But let us return to our subject. The first time that these extraordinary facts occurred we were at the beginning of Lent, and Catherine supported by the grace of God, remained until the feast of the Ascension, without taking any corporeal nourishment, and without any diminution of strength or gaiety. Are not the fruits of the Holy Ghost, charity, joy and peace ? (Gal. v. 22) Did not the Eternal truth say, that man lives not by bread alone,