with joy out of the Saviour's fountains.” (Isai. xil) 3. The Countess of Feria, that distinguished disciple of the venerable Father Avila, who became a nun of the Order of St. Clare, and was named the spouse of the Blessed Sacrament, on account of her long and frequent devotions in presence of the most Blessed Sacrament, was asked one day, what she was doing all those long hours she spent in presence of her Lord? She replied: “ I would remain there for all eternity. Have I not there present my God, who will be the joy of the blessed in heaven? Good God! what is one doing before him? Ah! rather, what does one not do? One loves, one praises, one gives thanks, one prays. What does a beggar in presence of a rich man? What does a sick man in presence of his physician? What does a thirsty man before a fountain of pure water? W hat does a hungry man before a table well laid out?”
O MOST lovely, most sweet, and dearest Jesus! life, hope, treasure, and only love of my soul. Oh! how much has it cost thee to remain with us in this Sacrament! It was necessary for thee to die in order to remain afterwards upon our altars: and how many injuries hast thou not been made to suffer in consequence of this presence among us! But thy love, and thy desire to be loved by us, have surmounted all. Come then, Lord, come and occupy my heart, and afterwards close its entrance for ever, so that no creature may ever enter there again to take away a part of this love which belongs entirely to thee, and which I am unwilling to give to any other. Do thou alone, my dear Redeemer, reign over me! Do thou alone possess me entirely; and if at any time I should not obey thee perfectly, punish me severely, that for the future I may be more careful
