THE BEGINNINGS of her CONTEMPLATIVE EXPERIENCE

THE BEGINNINGS of her
CONTEMPLATIVE EXPERIENCE
The Herald, Book. 2,1

Tr. L. Dysinger, O.S.B.: based in part on M.Winkworth, (CWS, Paulist, 1993). Latin text in SC 139 (Cerf, Paris, 1968).

CHAPTER ONE: The Way in which the Lord first
visited her Like the Dawn from on high (Lk 1:78).

Caput Primum de eo qualiter eam dominus primo visitavit oriens ex alto

[p.228] 1. Abyssus increatae sapientiae invocet abyssum admirabilis omnipotentiae ad extollentiam tam stupendae benevolentiae, quae supereffluentiam misericordiae tuae per ima defluxit ad vallem meae miseriae

Dum in vigesimo sexto aetatis meae anno in illa saluberrima mihi secunda feria ante festum Purificationis Mariae castissimae matris suae, quae feria secunda tunc fuit sexto kal. Februarii, in hora exoptabili post Completorium, quasi in initio crepusculum:

Tu veritas, Deus, omni luce serenior, sed omni secreto interior (Aug, Conf. 9,1), densitatem tenebrarum mearum temperare decreveras, blande leniterque initias cum sedatione turbationis illius quam ante mensam in corde meo commoveras, cum qua perturbatione, ut credo,

Destruere nitebaris turrim vanitatis et curialitatis meae, in quam superbia mea excreverat, quamvis heu! Inaniter nomen et vestem Religionis gestarem, ut vel sic invenires iter quo ostenderes mihi salutare tuum.

AT the stated hour, then, I was standing in the middle of the dormitory.  An older nun was approaching and, having bowed my head with the reverence prescribed by our rule, I looked up and saw before me a youth of about sixteen years, handsome and gracious. 

2. Igitur in praedicta hora dum starem in medio dormitorii et secundum reverentiam Ordinis obvianti mihi seniori caput inclinatum erigerem, astantem mihi vidi juvenem amabilem et delicatum, quasi sedecim annorum

Courteously and in a gentle voice  (cf. Gen. 50:21) he said to me:

Soon will come your salvation;
why are you so sad?

Qui vultu blando lenibusque verbis dixit mihi:

Cito veniet salus tua; quare moerore consumeris?

Numquid consiliarius non est tibi, quia innovavit te dolor?

(1st Matins resp. 2nd Sun., Adv.; Rorate Coeli)

While he was speaking, although I knew that I was really in the place where I have said,  it seemed to me that I was in the Choir, in the corner where I usually say my tepid prayers; and it was there that I heard these words:

Haec cum diceret, quamvis me corporaliter scirem in praedicto loco, tamen videbar mihi esse in choro, in angulo quo tepidam orationem facere consuevi, et ibi audivi sequentia verborum, scilicet:

I will save you and deliver you: do not be afraid.(Rorate Coeli)

With my enemies you have licked the dust (cf. Ps. 71:9) and sucked honey among thorns.(Song 4:1; 2:2)

Come back to me now, (cf Mal. 3:7) and I will inebriate you with the torrent of my divine pleasure (Ps. 35:9)

Cum inimicis meis terram lambisti et mel inter spinas linxisti,

tandem revertere ad me, et ego torrente voluptatis meae divinae inebriabo te.

 As he was saying this, I looked and saw, between him and me, that is to say, on his right and on my left, a hedge of such length that I could not see the end of it, either ahead or behind.  The top of this hedge was bristling with such large thorns that there seemed no way to get back to the youth.

Quod cum diceret, respiciens vidi inter me et illum, scilicet ad dexteram illius et sinistram meam, sepam tam infinitae longitudinis ut nec post tergum finis longitudinis illius appareret.  In summitate vero eijusdem sepis tam grand strue spinarum videbatur communita ut nusquam mihi transitus pateret ad praedictum juvenum revertendi.

As I hesitated, burning with desire and almost fainting, suddenly he seized me and, lifting me up with the greatest ease, placed me beside him.  But on the hand with which he had just given me his promise I recognized those bright jewels, his wounds, which have canceled all our debts (Col. 2:4.

Et cum hinc haesitans et desiderio aestuans et quasi deficiens starem, ipse repente absque omni difficultate apprehendens me levavit et juxta se statuit.  Sed cum in manu illa, ex qua praedictum promissum recepi, recognoerim vulnerum illorum praeclara monilia quibus omnium irritantur chirographa.

I PRAISE, adore, bless, and thank you to the best of my ability for your wise mercy and your merciful wisdom!  For you, my Creator and my Redeemer, have sought to curb my stiff-necked obstinacy under your sweet yoke with the remedy best suited to my infirmity.  

laudo, adoro, benedico et gratias ago, ut possum, sapienti misericordiae et misericordi sapientiae tuae; quia tu, creator et redemptor meus, tali modo cervicem meam indomitam suavi jugo tuo submittere conabaris, conficiens temperantisime potionem invalitudini meae congruentem.  

Nam ex tunc nova spiritus hilaritate serenata in suaveolentia unguentorum tuorum procedere coepi, ut et ego jugum tuum suave et onus tuum leve reputarem, quod paulo ante velut importabile judicavi.

ON THE FEAST of CHRISTMAS

ON THE FEAST of CHRISTMAS
(The Herald, Book. 2,6). Tr. L. Dysinger, O.S.B.:
 based in part on M.Winkworth, (CWS, Paulist, 1993).
Latin text in SC 139 (Cerf, Paris, 1968).

IT was in the holy night, when the dew of divinity came down, (Ant Rorate Coeli) shedding sweetness over all the earth, and the heavens were melting, made sweet like honey.  My soul, like a dampened fleece on the threshing-floor (Jdg 6.37-38) of the community was meditating on this mystery.

(2.1) In nocte sacratissima, quando dulcorante rore divinitatis per totum mundum melliflui facti sunt coeli  (2nd Resp. of Christmas; Ant. and Intr. Rorate coeli) vellus animae meae in area communitatis madefactum (Jd 6.37-38) attentavit meditando

Through the exercise of this devotion I was trying to give my poor services in assisting at the divine birth when, like a star shedding its ray, the Virgin brought forth her son, true God and true man.

 se ingere et per devotionis exercitationem ministerium exhibere supercoelesti illi partui, qua sicut radium protulit (Seq. Laetabundus) Virgo filium verum Deum et hominem (Secr. of mass De Beatd of Advent).

    In an instant I knew what it was that I was being offered and what it was that I received, as it were, into a portion of my heart: a tender babe, born at that hour (Ant Puer Natus.).  In him was hidden the supreme gift of perfection, truly the very best of gifts (cf Jas 1:17).

(2.6) Cognovit quasi in momentaneo quodam ostento porrigi sibi et recipi a se tamquam in parte cordis tenerum quemdam puerulum velut sub ea hora natum, in quo certe latuit donum summae perfectionis ac vere optimum datum (Js 1.17)

  And while I held him within my soul, suddenly

I saw myself entirely transformed into the color of the heavenly babe

Quem cum intra se teneret anima mea, repente

tota mutata videbatur cum ipso in eumdem colorem,

- if it is possible to describe as color that which cannot be compared with any visible form.

si tamen color dici possit quod nulli visibili speciei valet comparari.

 Then I received in my soul comprehension of those sweetest and most ineffable words: God shall be all in all (1 Cor 15.28) I rejoiced that  the welcome presence and delightful caresses of my Spouse would not come to an end.

(2.13) Hinc percepit anima mea intellectum quemdam ineffabilem verborum illorum suavifluorum: Erit Deus omnia in omnibus (1 Cor 15.28)  cum dilectum praecordiis suis immissum se continere sentiret et cum jucundissimae blanditatis sponsi gratam praesentiam sibi non deesse gauderet.

    With insatiable avidity, therefore, I drank in, like deep draughts from a cup of honey-wine, divinely inspired words such as these:

Unde melita pocula talium verborum divinitus propinata insatiabili aviditate imbibebat:

“As I am the image [lit: figure] of the substance (Heb 1.3) of God the Father, through my divinity, so also will you be[come] the figure of my substance through my human [nature],

(2.20) “Sicut ego sum figura substantiae Dei Patris (Heb 1.3) in divinitatae, sic tu eris figura substantiae meae ex parte humanitatis,

receiving in your deified soul the sending forth of my divinity, as the air receives the sun’s rays

suscipiens in tuam deificatam animam emissiones meae divinitatis, sicut aer suscipit solares radios; (cf. Benedict, RB Pr.9)

and, penetrated by this unifying [light] within your innermost depths, you will become capable of an ever closer union with me.”

quo unitivo medullitus penetrata habilitaris ad familiariorem mei unionem” (SC 139, pp. 256-258)

ON THE FEAST of THE EPIPHANY

ON THE FEAST
of THE EPIPHANY
(The Herald, Book. 4).
tr. based in part on  Doyle and Jurgens: C. Vagaggini, Theol. Dimensions of the Liturgy, (Collegeville 1976), 92-94.  Latin text in SC 255 (Paris,1978).

WHILE the Gospel was being read, They entered in adoring Him and opened their treasures (Mt. 2.11),  Gertrude, urged on by the example of the most blessed Magi and inflamed in the spirit,

(3.1) Alia vice in festo eodem, dum in evangelio legeretur: Et procidentes adoraverunt eum et apertis thesauris suis, ista iterum exemplo beatorum Magorum provocata, in fervore spiritus exurgens,

rose up to prostrate herself in great devotion at the feet of the Lord Jesus, adoring Him on behalf of all beings,

humillima devotione coram sanctissimis pedibus Domini Jesu se prostravit, adorans ex parte omnium

heavenly,
earthly,
   and infernal (Phil 2:10).

caelestium,

terrestrium,

 et infernorum (Ph 2.10)

And since she could find nothing that she might offer Him worthily,

(3.7) Et cum nihil invereret quod ipsi digne posset offerre,

with anxious desire she began to pass in review the whole world,

nxio coepit desiderio per universum discurre mundum,

seeking among all creatures to see if she could not find something worthy to be offered for His unique pleasure.

a quarens in omni creatura si vel aliqua posset investigare unice dilecto suo condigne offerenda.

And while she was thus excited and breathless, hastening about in the thirst of her burning desire, she came upon some objects which every creature ought rightly despise, because they did nothing for the praise and glory of the Savior.

Cumque sic aestuans et anhelans curreret in siti ferventis desiderii, repperit quaedam abjecta et ab omni creatura digne despicienda, tamquam in laudem et gloriam Salvatoris non cedentia,

     But Gertrude seized upon them avidly and endeavored to lead them to render that same glory and praise which it is the duty of every creature to give.

quae ipsa sibi avide usurpans, revocare curabat ad illum cui servire tenetur omne creatum.

(4.1) Unde primo intraxit cordi suo per fervens desiderio omnem poenam, timorem et dolorem et anxietatem quam unquam aliqua creatura sustinuit, non pro laude creatoris, sed ex vitio propriae infirmitatis.

AND she offered them to the Lord as myrrh of finest quality.

Et haec obtulit Domino, quasi pro myrrha probata.

THEN she drew into herself all the simulated sanctity and devotion of all the hypocrites, Pharisees, heretics, and the like.

Secundo, intraxit sibi omnem simulatoriam sanctitatem et devotionem ostentativem hypocritarum, pharasaeorum, haereticorum, et similium.

AND this too she likewise offered to the Lord in place of the sacrifice of the most fragrant incense.

Et haec similiter obtulit Deo pro fragrantissimi thuris sacrificio.

IN the third place she endeavored to draw into her heart all the human affections and false and impure love of all creatures.

(4.9) Tertio intrahere nitebatur cordi suo universum humanum affectum et amorem falsum et impurum omnium creaturum.

AND this she offered to the Lord as precious gold.

Et hoc obtulit Domino pro auro pretioso.

AND all these things together, completely purified of every blemish and wonderfully ennobled in her heart by the heat of her loving desire

Quae omnia simul in corde suo per ardorem amantis desiderii, quo universa reducere nitebatur

- namely that these be transformed through submission to their lover -

like gold purified in the crucible, these she seemed to present to the Lord.

in obsequium sui amatoris, tamquam aurum in camino probatum, omni scoria ad plenum decocta et miro nobilitata, videbantur Domino praesentata.

ON THE FEAST
of THE BLESSED TRINITY
(The Herald, Book. 4). tr. based in part on  Doyle and Jurgens: C. Vagaggini,
Theol. Dimensions of the Liturgy, (Collegeville 1976), 764-765.
Latin text in SC 255 (Paris,1978).

While [on the Feast of the Trinity] the antiphon Osculetur me [Let him kiss me] (Cant. 1:1) was being sung, a voice from the throne said

Hinc dum cantaretur antiphona Osculetur me, (Cant. 1.1) facta est vox de throno dicens:

“Draw near, My beloved Son, in whom I am in every way well-pleased (Mt 3.17;17.5), and delight me with [your] most sweet kiss.”

“Accedat Filius meus dilectus, in quo mihi per omnia optime complacui (Mt 3.17;17.5), et deliciositati meae persuavissimum praebeat osculum.”

Then the Son of God in human form drawing near, gave a most sweet kiss to the incomprehensible Divinity,

Tunc procedens Filius Dei in humana forma, praebuit suavissimum osculum incomprehensibili divinitati,

to which bond of inseparable union only the most holy humanity happily merited to be joined [. . .]

cui foedere inseperabilis unionis sola ejus humanitas sanctissima felicissime meruit copulare . . .

[Gertrude] understood then that on that feast every time the Person of the Son was named,

Intellexit etiam quod quoties in festo illo nominabatur persona filii,

God the Father caressed His most beloved Son in an incomprehensible and inexpressible way.

totius Deus Pater ineffabili et inaestimabili modo ipsi Filio amantissimo blandiebatur;

By that caress the humanity of Jesus Christ was wonderfully illuminated;

and by that illumination of the Christ's humanity all the saints conceived a new knowledge of the incomprehensible Trinity

et ex illa blanditate humanitas Jesu Christi miro modo clarificabatur;

et ex ille clarificatione humanitatis Christi, omnes sancti percipiebant novam cognitionem incomprehensiblis Trinitatis

[. . .] then it seemed to her that the whole resplendent and ever-tranquil Trinity, with great kindness deigned to incline itself toward the most worthy Heart of Jesus,

. . .videbatur quod tota fulgida semperque tranquilla Trinitas benignissima dignatione acclinaretur ad Cor Jesu dignissimum,

which, like a lyre, began to vibrate wonderfully and to resound sweetly in the presence of the Trinity.

quod in modum citarae in conspectu sanctissimae Trinitatis mirabiliter volvebatur ac dulciter resonabat,

And the Trinity set three strings [in that lyre-like heart] which would be able without interruption

 et in illud poneret tres chordas quae sine intermissione 

to supply for Gertrude’s every defect, with the invincible omnipotence of God the Father, the Wisdom of the Son of God, and the benevolence of the Holy Spirit, according to the good pleasure of the Most Blessed Trinity.  

secundum insuperabilem Dei Patris omnipotentiam ac Filii Dei sapientiam necnon Spiritus Sancti benevolentiam, omnem ipsius defectum ac placitum beatissimae Trinitatis persolvere deberent.

THE HERALD: III, 65
On Obtaining Blessings
QUAE STUDIA OBTINEANT BENEFICIA
A PRAYER of SAINT GERTRUDE
On The Titles of Christ
tr. based in part on Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude the Great, tr. The Poor Clares of Kenmare, , 1862,. Latin text in SC 255 (Paris,1964). pp. 260-268 SC 143. The Herald, 1, 3, ch 64.

[...]

3. HAVING been bled some time after the Fast, she was frequently heard uttering these words:

3. Cum quodam tempore ante Jejunium venam incidisset, verbis ipsius saepius interciderunt haec verba :

“O King, of all kings the most excellent! O illustrious Prince!”

« O regum Rex excellentissime, princeps illustrissime »

with others of a similar import; and as she recollected herself one morning in the place where she usually prayed, she said to God:

et caetera hujusmodi. Et cum quodam mane loco orationis se recollegisset, dixit ad Dominum :

“O most loving Lord, what do You wish that I should do with these words which so often present themselves to my mind and my lips?”

« O amantissime Domine, quid de verbis illis quae tam crebro se menti et ori meo ingerunt, fieri vis? »

Then Our Lord showed her a golden necklace, composed of four parts, which He held in His Hands. But as the Saint did not know what these four parts signified, He made known to her in spirit.

At ille tenens manu monile aureum ex quatuor partibus compactum, ostendit illi. Qua haesitante quid per partes quatuor notaretur, divinitus inspiratum est ei,

that the first part represented the Divinity of Christ;

quod per primam partem signaretur divinitas Christi,

the second, the Soul of Christ;

per alteram vero partem anima Christi,

the third, every faithful soul whom He had espoused in His own Blood;

per tertiam autem partem, anima cujuslibet fidelis, quam sibi proprio sanguine desponsavit,

and the fourth, the pure and immaculate Body of Christ

atque per quartam partem, corpus Christi immaculatum.

She knew also that the reason why the faithful soul was placed in this collar, between the Soul and the Body of Jesus Christ, was to show with what indissoluble love the Saviour had united the faithful soul to His own Body and Soul.

Per hoc etiam quod in hoc monili, anima fidelis animae et corpori Christi interposita videbatur, dabatur intelligi indissolubilis conglutinatio amoris, qua Dominus fidelem animam etiam proprio corpori et animae suae conferret.

And suddenly she was inspired with these words, in a rapture, at the sight of this necklace:

Et ecce subito ex respectu praefati monilis, efficaci impetuositate infusa sunt ei haec verba :

Prayer

“You are the life of my soul!

« Tu animae meae vita,

To you may all the desires of my heart be united by Your burning love!

tecum sit affection cordis mei unita, vi amatorii ardoris conflata.

whenever they turn to any object apart from You

 may they languish and die

In omni ad quod sine te tendit, reddatur exanimata.

for You are the beauty of all colors,

Quia tu es amoenitas omnium colorum,

the sweetness of all taste,

dulcor omnium saporum,

the fragrance of all odors,

fragrantia omnium odorum,

the harmony of all sounds,

delectatio omnium sonorum,

the charm of all intimate embraces! (cf. Augustine Conf. 10.27)

suavis amoenitas amplexuum intimorum.

In You is the voluptuousness of delight;

In te voluptas deliciosa,

from You flows forth a torrent of love;

ex te superreffluentia copiosa,

to You all are drawn by Your loveliness;

ad te allicientia amoenosa,

and by You all receive the influences of compassion!

per te influentia affectuosa.

You are the overflowing Abyss of the Divinity!

Tu supereffluens abyssus divinitatis.

O King, greater than all kings!

O regnum Rex dignissime,

Supreme Emperor,

Imperator excellentissime,

sovereign Prince,

Princeps illustrissime,

peaceful Ruler,

Dominator mitissime,

faithful Protector!

tutor validissime.

You are the vivifying gem of human nobility

Tu vivificans gemma humanae nobilitatis.

Most skillful artistic worker,

Opifex artificiosissime,

Most gentle Teacher,

instructor mansuetissime,

Wisest Counselor,

consultor sapientissime,

Kindest Helper

adjutor benignissime,

Most faithful Friend !

amice fidelissime.

You are the sweet savor of all delights!

Tu saporosa unio intimae suavitatis.

O gentle caresser,

O blanditor delicatissime,

whose touch imparts calmness!

affector lenissime,

Ardent Lover,

amator ardentissime,

Sweetest Spouse

sponse dulcissime,

Most chaste Encourager

zelator castissime.

You are the Spring-flower of unchanging beauty!

Tu vernans flos ingenuae venustatis.

O loving Brother,

O frater amabilissime,

Most beautiful Youth,

juvenis floridissime,

Most joyful Companion,

comes jucundissime,

Most generous Host,

hospes liberalissime,

Most careful Administrator!

ministrator curialissime.

I prefer You to every creature;

I renounce all delights on account of you

for You I seek all adversity;

and in all this I desire only your praise.

Te omni creaturae praeeligo,

propter te omni delectationi abrenuntio,

pro te omni adversitati obvio;

in his omnibus te unicum laudatorem requiro.

That You are the Life-Giver of all that is good - To this my heart and mouth bear testimony

Te vegetatorem horum omniumque bonorum corde et ore contestor.

I unite, by the merit of Thy love,

In virtute tui fervoris

the fervor of my devotions

adjungo intentionem meae devotionis

to the virtue of Your prayers,

efficaciae tuae orationis,

so that by the completeness (/innocence) of this Divine union

ut per integritatem divinae unionis

I may be raised to the highest perfection,

ducar ad apicem summae perfectionis,

and all rebellious movements may be consumed within me.”

consumpto omni motu rebellionis. »

4. ALL these statements seemed like so many brilliant gemstones separately enchased in the gold of this necklace.

4. Quae singula distinctim quasi gemmae praeclarae auro monilis rutilabant intexta.

On the following Sunday, as Gertrude assisted at the Mass at which she was to communicate, and recited this prayer with much devotion, she perceived that Our Lord was pleased with it, and she said to Him:

Sequentivero proximo die Dominico, dum Missae communicatura interesset et praedicta verba devotius recitaret et Dominum in ipsis quodammodo delectari conspiceret, dixit ad eum:

“O most loving Lord, since I perceive that these words are so agreeable to You, I will advise as many persons as I can to offer it to You devoutly, as a precious collar of pearls.”

« 0 amantissime Deus, ex quo sentio tantum te delectari in his verbis, consulere etiam volo aliis quibus possum, ut eadem in orationibus suis tibi offerant, quasi pro monili. »

 “No one can give Me what is Mine; but whoever recites [this prayer] devoutly shall feel his knowledge of Me increase, and shall receive light from My Divinity, which shall be showered down on him by the efficacy of these words; even as they who hold a plate of polished metal to the sun behold therein the reflection of its light.”.

 « Nemo mihi dat quod meum est; sed quicumque illa devote recitaverit, cognitionis meae gratiam in eo augebo et recipiet in se splendorem divinitatis meae quem diriget in se per efficaciam praedictorum verborum; sicut qui purum aurum tenens contra radiantem solem, in eo quod est auro oppositum videt lucis refulgorem. »

The Saint immediately felt the effect of these words, for as soon as she had recited this prayer she perceived that the surface of her soul became radiant with Divine light, and she found an increase of sweetness and pleasure in Divine things

Quorum verborum illa mox sensit effectum, et cum praedictam orationem persolvisset, facies animae suae apparuit divinae lucis radio clarius illustrata et — ut sibi videbatur — saporosius suscepit gustum cogitationis divinae.