Flower of Devotion

On the eve of the Solemnity of All Saints, while St. Mechtilde was busy with the work which had been given her for obedience, she was late for the service. She came to Mass only at the time of the Elevation, and with a sorrowful heart she offered this delay to God, and the Lord said to her: “Do I not seem to you to be a high price to pay that I can blot out all your sins?” And the saint answered, “Yes, Lord, I firmly believe that you can do this.” The Lord said, “I am a rewarding price so excessively that it is easy for Me to fulfill and pay all your omissions.” The saint said, “Lord, I know that nothing is impossible for You.” And the Lord said, “I will answer all things for you before the Father. However, also ask multitudes of saints to offer their merits for you. Let the patriarchs and prophets offer their desire for My incarnation for you. Let the Apostles offer them their faithfulness, in which they have remained with Me in all their sorrows, and offer them their patience, with which they shed their blood for Me. The followers were overwhelmed by their holiness, with which they showed others the way of holy life by their words and examples. Let the virgins offer you the merit of their chastity and immaculateness, by which they have become worthy to be nearest to me.”