Stories

He had hardly finished when Mary freed him all at once from the temptation. His peace came back, and with it his health, and from then on he lived as a devoted servant of Mary, proclaiming her mercies in his preaching and his writing for the rest of his life.

Jesus answered that he could deny her nothing, and that for love of her he would pardon the man, telling him to come and kiss his wounds. The man came forward weeping, and as he kissed the wounds they were healed. Then Jesus embraced him as a sign of pardon. From that day he changed his life and was always full of love for the Blessed Virgin.

She threw herself at his feet in tears, begged his pardon, and said that the Mother of God, through his prayer, had delivered her from hell. They went together to give thanks, and the next day she told the whole story to their relatives, showing the mark of the wound, and all of them were stirred to a greater love of Our Lady.

The priest was awed and hesitated at the door, but Our Lady motioned him in and showed him to a seat to hear the woman's confession. The poor woman confessed, received the sacrament with great devotion, and died peacefully in the arms of Mary.

A lion came and dug her grave, the abbot buried her, and he went back to tell of the wonders of God's mercy toward this happy penitent.

With Mary's help she gave all she owned to the poor and took up a hard penance. She was tormented by dreadful temptations, but she kept turning to the Mother of God and always overcame them with her aid. She was favored with many graces, including visions and prophecies.

He was condemned to die at once, without even being given time for confession. He commended himself to Mary. He was hanged, but the Virgin held off his death, freed him herself, and told him to return to the monastery.

He died peacefully, telling those around him that he could see angels, repeating the word "mother," and slipping away like a child falling asleep in his mother's arms. It was later made known that he passed quickly through purgatory into paradise.

She was saved, her time in purgatory was shortened, and only a few Masses were needed to release her. Catherine had the Masses said, and the soul returned once more, shining, on its way to paradise.