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. _April 30th_ 1880. 208th Anniversary of the death of the Venerable Mother of the Incarnation. CONTENTS 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. CHAPTER IX. Saint Angela, Foundress of the Ursulines.--Her Early sanctity.--Zeal for the instruction of the ignorant.--Lays the foundation of her great work at Dezenzano--Vision of the Mysterious Ladder.--Removes to Brescia.--Goes to the Holy Land.--To Rome.--To Cremona.--Returns to Brescia.--Founds her Order.--Her holy Death.--Parting Counsels.--Prediction of the stability of her work.--Diffusion of the Order.--Archconfraternity of St. Angela. SECOND PERIOD, 1631 TO 1639. THE VENERABLE MOTHER'S RELIGIOUS LIFE IN FRANCE. CHAPTER I. Her Novitiate.--Holy joy.--Virtue tested.--Love of common life.-- Humility.--Obedience.--Trials from her son.--Offers herself as a victim for his salvation.--Third Vision of the Adorable Trinity.--Receives the Holy Habit.