Page 654 - TheLifeAndRevelationsOfAnneCatherineEmmerich_Neat

2 Life of

me into the Nuptial House," for such is the relation that the
Church holds with Jesus Christ, her Spouse and Head-a
relation "rhich was shown to Sister Enllnerich as an inl­
mense sphere, embracing the most varied and opposite
states, for whose individual failings she was to supply by
her sufferings. Jesus is oontin ually renewing Iris indis­
s'Jluble union with the Church, His Spouse, and that He
may present her spotless to His Father, He incessantly
pours out upon her the torrents of I-lis graces. 13ut every
grace must be accounted for, and few among those who
receive them \vould be found ready for this, if the Heavenly
Spouse did not at all ti!lles prepare chosen soul::; to gather
up ,,,,hat others waste, to utilize the talents that others bury,
and to discharge the de bts contracted by the negligent.
Before manifesting Himself in the flesh, in order to ratify
the New ~t\lliance with His Blood, He had by the Imlnacu­
late Conception of l\Iary prepared her to be the immaculate
type of the Church. He liad poured upon her the plenitude
of Ifis graces, that her pra)Ters might hasten the Messiah's
advent, her purity and fidelity retain Him among the
very men who received I-lim not, who resisted and per­
secuted Him. Wl1en Jesus, the Good Shepherd, began to
gather His flock together it was Mary who cared for them,
particularly for the poorest, the most abandoned, in order to
lead them into the way of salvation; she was the faithful
ste\vardess, she was the support of all. After the return of
her Son to llis Eternal Father, she relnained many years
upon earth tc strengthen and protect the infant Church.
j\nd until the second COllling of her Son, the Church will
never be without lnembers who, following in her footsteps,
,vill be so many sources of benediction to their brethren.
It is ~Iary, the l\{other of Mercy, ,vho assigns to the~e

privileged souls their tasks for the ccclesiastieal year; and,