the following morning; for after Communion, the soul of my father appeared to me again, all beautiful and resplendent, and informed me that many others had been also released from the pains of purgatory; indeed these newly ransomed prisoners were visible to me in great numbers, and I think that on two or three occasions, I enjoyed a renewal of this blessed assurance. My pen is incapable of expressing the consolation which was thereby conveyed to me."

Behold how wonderful are the privileges which fathers may expect to receive from the hands of holy children! Such instances as these should excite all parents to conduct their families in the ways of God. If Francesco Giuliani had not possessed so saintly a daughter, he would perhaps have been lost for ever; or at all events, the extent of his sufferings in purgatory might have surpassed all conception.

CHAPTER VII.

HAVING RECEIVED THE DESIRED CONSENT OF HER FATHER, URSULA PROCURES IN AN EXTRAORDINARY WAY HER ADMISSION AMONG THE CAPUCHIN NUNS OF CITTÀ DI CASTELLO.

As soon

To resume the thread of our narrative. as Ursula had obtained the permission to become a nun, which she so much longed for, she felt ready to go into any convent which her friends might desire for her; still she was excessively anxious that it

should be one of the stricter order of religious. Having heard much praise of the monastery of Capuchin nuns at Città di Castello, she informed her family that she wished to make it her choice, although in the house of S. Clare in the city of Mercatello, her birth-place, she had already three sisters in religion, namely Sister Mary Rose, Sister Anna Maria, and Sister Louisa, of whom she was extremely fond. Having written to her father on the subject, she received for answer that in this also she should be gratified. Her uncle accordingly took her to Città di Castello, that she might ask admission into the above-mentioned convent from its ecclesiastical superior the bishop, who was no other than Monsignor Giuseppe Sebastiani, a man of such distinguished sanctity, that to this day his name is never mentioned in the diocese without the title of Venerable being prefixed to it.

When Ursula and her uncle had been presented to his lordship, and when the wishes of the former had been expressed, the bishop informed them that there was no vacancy in that particular convent, the last having been just filled by the admission of a young woman of the city, who was afterwards called in religion Sister Clare Felix. Poor Ursula was disconsolate at this reply, and having no other alternative to propose, she took her departure. But while they were descending the steps of the palace, she felt moved by some influence from above to request her uncle to return with her to the bishop's presence. Being again admitted to an audience, the young girl threw herself on her knees before his lordship, and with the most humble, yet fervent entreaties conjured him to grant her the consolation she

implored; and this she did so effectually that the good bishop was persuaded to make an exception in her favour by conceding the boon she asked. He then put several questions to her, inquiring among other things if she could read Latin. Her uncle replied that she could not, but Ursula, incited by some extraordinary impulse, and by a lively confidence in God, took a breviary out of his lordship's hand, and read aloud from it with. masterly ease and precision, in a manner which showed that she understood the meaning perfectly. Her uncle exclaimed in astonishment "This is certainly a miracle!" And such it really was, for she had never learned Latin. The miracle was moreover a permanent one, for from that time she was always able to read the language fluently, and to quote it with intelligence and accuracy. The good prelate being struck by this occurrence, and still more by the rare innocence and virtue apparent in her replies, promised to obtain what she desired, from the nuns; and then dismissed the grateful Ursula. He presently went to the convent, and by his representations of the valuable acquisition which this new postulant would prove to the community, the religious were all induced to accept her, although by so doing they would exceed their prescribed number.

As soon as the day arrived when the question of her admission was to be formally proposed in chapter, our Saint repaired to their church to await the result. The young person we have already mentioned as having obtained the vacancy a few days before, was likewise there, as the ballot was to decide her lot also on the present occasion. From her state

ment we learn the following particulars:-Ursula having prostrated herself in prayer, most earnestly supplicated her heavenly Spouse to accomplish her ardent desires. Ere long the news arrived that they were both accepted, and soon the father confessor came to the altar and invested Ursula with the sacred cord, after the custom of the house. We will refer to the testimony which her companion deposed on oath in the process of canonization in order to form an idea of the excess of joy and rapture into which the Saint was thrown on this occasion. "After we had received notice of our acceptance," she declares, "and when the father confessor had given us the cord, we two remained alone in the church to thank our Lord for the grace He had thus bestowed on us; but as I knew that the mother abbess and the religious were waiting for us at the communion grate, I was just going to invite the Signora Ursula to accompany me, when I beheld her ravished in an ecstasy, so that she was utterly unconscious of my presence; and although I attempted several times to shake her, and used force to draw her away, she did not feel it at all. So I fell on my knees at her side, and let her alone." The religious, knowing nothing of this, and being unable to conceive the reason for so long a delay, sent one of the lay sisters who serve outside to inform the postulants that the mother abbess was waiting for them at the grate. Then Ursula came to herself and went with her companion to answer the summons : " and the said Signora," continues the deposition, "manifested such extreme delight at being now accepted as a religious, that it was evident her heart was in a state of jubilation." This happened on the 17th of July, in the

year 1677, before she had completed her seventeenth year.

The devil being envious of such happiness as hers lost no time in troubling her peace; and God permitted that it should be so for the purpose of testing the fidelity of His servant, and refining her virtue. At one time the arch-fiend would draw a picture before her eyes of the religious state, which he painted in the blackest colours, representing it as a life of despair; at another time he would recall to her mind the numerous young gentlemen who had desired her in marriage, and the advantageous offers which she had rejected: and then again, he would embitter her delight in prayer by infusing into her soul feelings of insupportable weariness. In short, it seemed, according to her own expression, as though all the powers of hell had been let loose upon her; "but," she continues, "I would yield to none of them. Sometimes when I felt more harassed than usual, I retired to my chamber alone, and relieved myself for awhile with our Lord by laying the matter before Him. I prayed to Him, asked His grace, and implored Him never to leave me. I said to Him in all confidence, Lord, Thou knowest that I am Thy Spouse; grant that I may never be separated from Thee. I resign myself now and for ever into Thy hands behold I am ready for all that it is Thy Will to appoint. I am Thine-I am Thine-and that is enough for me!" Almighty God, Who permitted these trials for her greater merit, deigned frequently to encourage her by means of an interior voice which said to her: "Be comforted, for thou art Mine. It is My Will that thou shouldst suffer and struggle, but fear not." And thus strengthened by the power

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