It only remains to be noticed that the words "saint," "saintly," and others of similar import are used throughout solely in their popular acceptation, and not with any intention of anticipating the decision of the Church regarding the sanctity of the Venerable Mother Mary of the Incarnation or of any other of God's servants mentioned in these pages.
In like manner, the record of miraculous occurrences, visions, and other extraordinary supernatural favours, is understood to rest as yet only on human authority, and therefore to claim no more than the degree of credibility which attaches to any well authenticated human statement.
208th Anniversary of the death of the Venerable Mother of the Incarnation.
INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. A Glance at Canada, as it was in the days of the Venerable Mother Mary of the Incarnation.
THE LIFE OF THE VENERABLE MOTHER. FIRST PERIOD, 1599 TO 1631. HER LIFE IN THE WORLD
CHAPTER I. Her infancy, childhood and youth--Early call to union with God.--Charity to the poor.--Purity of soul--Inclination for the Religious Life.
CHAPTER II. Her married life.--Rule of life.--Love of prayer--Perfect fulfilment of duty.--Patience under trial--Zeal for her household.--Influence.--Death of her Husband.
CHAPTER III. Her First year of Widowhood.--Life of solitude in the World.--Vision of the application of the Precious Blood to her soul.--Increased purity of conscience.--Charity to the sick poor.
CHAPTER IV. She quits her solitude.--New evidence of her purity of soul.--Humiliation and dependence in her Sister's house.
CHAPTER V. She is called to a high degree of Divine Union.--New invitation to the perfection of Interior Purity.--Infused knowledge of the nature of the works of God.--Austerities.--Love of contempt.--Active life.--Makes the vows of poverty and obedience.--Heavenly favour.--Temptations.
CHAPTER VI. Supernatural favours.--Lights on the mystery of the Incarnation.--Vision of the Most Adorable Trinity.--Submission to her Director.--Temptations renewed.--Lights on the Divine attributes.
CHAPTER VII. Second Vision of the Most Adorable Trinity.--She is elevated to a sublime degree of Divine Union.
CHAPTER VIII. She resolves to embrace the Religious Life.--Decides finally on the Ursuline Order.--Temptations.--Disappearance of her son.--His return.-- Enters the Convent.