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 earned by  her  infamous  practices,  burned  them  in  the public square,  and  retired  into  a  monastery,  where  she fasted on  bread  and  water  every  day  for  three  successive years, always  repeating  this  prayer:  "  O  Thou  who  hast made  me,  have  mercy  on  me!  My  God,  who  hast  created me,  have  pity  on  me!" After these  three  years  she happily ended  her  life  by  a  holy  death. It was  afterwards revealed  to  Paul,  a  disciple  of  St.  Anthony,  that this happy  penitent  was  placed  among  the  saints  on  an exalted  throne  of  glory.

Behold the  efficacy  of  the  remembrance  of  the  divine presence to  make  us  avoid  sins  Let  us  then  always pray to  the  Lord,  saying  with  Job:  Set  me  beside  thee,  and let  any  mans  hand  fight  against  me.  My  God,  place  me  in Thy  presence;  that  is,  remind  me  in  every  place  that Thou seest  me,  and  then  let  all  my  enemies  assail  me:  I shall  always  defeat  them. Hence St.  Chrysostom  concludes: "  If  we  keep  ourselves  always  in  the  presence  of God,  the  thought  that  he  sees  all  our  thoughts,  that  he hears  all  our  words,  and  observes  all  our  actions  will preserve  us  from  thinking  any  evil,  from  speaking  any evil,  and  from  doing  any  evil."

II. As to  the  second  effect,  the  practice  of  virtue,  the presence of  God  is  also  a  great  means. Oh, what  valor does a  soldier  exhibit  in  the  presence  of  his  sovereign! The sole  thought  that  his  prince  by  whom  he  shall  be punished  or  rewarded  is  present  inspires  him  with  great courage and  strength. Thus also  when  such  a  religious is in  the  presence  of  her  Superior,  with  what  exterior recollection   does    she    pray,    with    what    modesty  and