and I
could see her face and her feet, which were uncovered, I could not
help exclaiming with the Psalmist, 'God is wonderful in His saints!'
I cannot express what an attraction I have always felt for St.
Catherine of Genoa. She knew how to reconcile the greatest fidelity
to the interior attrait and guidance of the Holy Spirit with perfect
filial obedience to the external and divine authority of the Holy
Church. She knew how to reconcile the highest degree of divine
contemplation with the greatest extent of works of external charity.
She was a heroic lover of God, for she resisted His gifts, lest she
might forget the Giver in them, and be hindered the entire possession
of Him, and the complete union of her soul with Him. As a virgin she
was pure, a model as a wife, and as a widow a saint! Her writings on
the spiritual life are masterpieces, and though a woman, no man has
surpassed, if any has equalled, the eloquence of her pen."

He procured an excellent copy of St. Catherine's portrait preserved
at the hospital, and brought it home with him. He had done the same
for Sts. Philip and Ignatius before leaving Rome. St. Catherine's
picture represents a handsome face, earnest, simple, and joyful; she
is dressed plainly as a devout woman living in the world, lovely to
look upon and inspiring love of God and man in the beholder.

Father Hecker's stay in Europe during the winter of 1869-70 and the
following spring awakened in his soul aspirations towards a wide and
enduring religious movement in the Old World, similar to that which
he had started in the New. At the time he did not anticipate any
personal share in it other than encouragement and direction from
America. The reader will learn in the sequel that these aspirations
were again felt, and that with renewed force, when he returned to
Europe in ill health three years later.

What follows is from a pocket diary, and from a letter home:

"The work that Divine Providence has called us to do in our own
country, were its spirit extended throughout Europe, would be the
focus of new light and an element of regeneration. Our country has a
providential position in our century in relation to Europe, and our
efforts to Catholicize and sanctify it give it an importance, in a
religious aspect, of a most interesting and significant character."

"I do not wish to cross the Atlantic ever again, and therefore would
like to finish with Europe and Italy. As for the notable men of the