obtaining a victory over self, he dismounted, kissed the leper, and
gave him an alms. When he again mounted his horse, he no longer saw
any one, though he looked all round the plain. Filled with astonishment,
and transported with joy, he fell on his knees to thank God, and formed
a firm resolution to aim at still greater perfection. This is the
effect of generous and courageous efforts, they draw down fresh graces,
and reanimate our courage. He acquired also more inclination for
retirement, he had no longer any liking but for solitude, for those
places which were adapted to the holy sorrow of penance, where he
unceasingly addressed himself to God in fervent prayer, accompanied
by lamentations, which cannot be described: God at length favorably
heard him.

His fervor daily increasing, insomuch that he was wholly absorbed in
God, Jesus Christ appeared to him as if attached to the cross. His
soul, at this stupendous scene, was wholly penetrated, and, as it were,
dissolved, and the image of his crucified Saviour became from that
time so strongly and intimately imprinted on his heart, that every
time it recurred to his mind, he had a difficulty in restraining his
sobs and tears.

In this marvellous apparition he was made aware that these words of
the Gospel were personally addressed to him: "If any man will come
after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me."
He received from them that foretaste of poverty and humility which
became his characteristics, and so ardent a charity inflamed his heart,
that he had the courage to devote himself to the service of the lepers.
Before this day they were so much his horror, that, far from allowing
them to be in his presence, as soon as he saw them, at whatever
distance, he turned away from them, and if they were near he passed