The Revelations of St. Gertrude the Great COMPILED BY THE RELIGIOUS OF HER MONASTERY CATHOLIC TREASURES, NOVEMBER 1980  The different effects of charity are explained by the comparison of a tree covered with leaves, flowers and fruit. On the following day, as the Saint heard Mass, she was overcome by weariness. The sound of the bell aroused her, and she beheld Jesus Christ, her Lord and King, holding a tree in His hand, which appeared to have been just cut from the root, but which was covered with the most beautiful fruit and whose leaves shone like so many stars, shooting forth rays of admirable brightness. Having given of these fruits to the Saints who composed His celestial court, they found a marvelous sweetness therein. Soon after, our Lord planted this tree in the garden of her heart, that she might make it more fruitful by cultivation, that she might repose under it and be refreshed there. Having received this deposit, she began to pray for a person who had persecuted her a short time before, asking, to increase its fruitfulness, that she might suffer again what she had already suffered, to draw down more abundant grace on this person. At this moment she beheld a flower of a most beautiful colour, burst forth on the top of the tree, which promised to change into fruit if she executed her good intention. This tree was the symbol of charity, which bears not only the abundant fruit of good works but also the flowers of good-will and the bright leaves of holy desires. Therefore, the citizens of heaven rejoice greatly when men condescend towards their brethren and endeavor with all their power to solace them in their needs. At the moment of the elevation of the Host our Lord adorned the Saint with the various graces which He had communicated to her on the preceding day. E-MAIL HOME-------------------------------SAINT GERTRUDE www.catholictradition.org/Gertrude/revelations11.htm