Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 edition. Excerpt: ...condemned souls? Certainly not. Then fulfill faithfully the promises you have made to God. Observe your vow, and you will never offend your divine Spouse." Acting in this manner, and reckoning that the sufferings of this world are not to be compared with the glory to come, St. Rita kept her rebellious flesh in subjection, and was able to overcome every attack of Lucifer against her vow. And aided also by the sign of the cross, and with the sweet names of Jesus and Mary ever on her lips, and fortified by the continual exercise of penance--of which we shall speak in our next chapter--St. Rita preserved the flower of her purity, defended as it was by the thorns of mortification, as the rose preserves its beauty, defended by the thorns which nature give it for its protection. For a greater security of her chastity, of which the common enemy of souls was continually trying to rob her, St. Rita, like the holy man Job, made a covenant with her eyes, never to look at, or even think of, anything that might be the occasion of fault against her purity. Never happier than when she was in the chapel, or in the silence and solitude of her little cell, St. Rita actually disliked to go to the convent parlor to converse with seculars, unless it was to give spiritual advice, or console some afflicted soul. And when she was obliged by necessity or obedience, to go outside the convent, she wore a heavy veil over her face, and if by chance she met a friend or acquaintance on the street who recognized her, she never stopped to speak, it being a common saying with her, "In ordinary conversation with seculars, a nun loses much, and gains little or nothing." More than once, while conversing with the nuns, did she say to them: "Sisters, be careful where you look, ...
