The Crucifix on the Wall

One day a girl named Catherine presented herself to the Mother Superior of a Dominican Convent. The Superior noticed that she was very well dressed and figured that she must come from a very wealthy family, so she decided to test the girl's vocation.

She showed Catherine one of the cells that a nun dwells in; it had a bed with a thin mattress, an old chair, a desk and a crucifix on the wall. The girl looked at the little room and smiled. Then the Superior showed Catherine the dining room saying, "Here we eat very simple meals; for breakfast, porridge or eggs, two pieces of bread and some tea or coffee. Lunch is a full sized meal, but you are only allowed one helping, and we eat meat only three times a week. Supper consists of a bowl of vegetable soup, a piece of fruit and tea or coffee." Catherine gazed around the room, noticed a crucifix and then smiled her beautiful smile.

Next the Superior showed her the sewing room, "Here, for five hours a day you must sew and embroider priest's vestments and altar cloths." The girl looked around the room and again she smiled.

Finally, the Superior showed Catherine the chapter room saying, "Here everyday, each Sister must tell the others if she has broken the rules during the day. Then she must be scolded and humiliated and given a penance, so that she will be more faithful in the future!" And again, the girl looked around the room and smiled.

After this the Superior asked Catherine, "Do you not find that this way of life would be very difficult for you? Surely you come from a very wealthy family and are used to living in luxury. Here we have no room for luxury and fine clothes; we have only room for humble and faithful souls!"

At this point, Catherine looked up and smiled, "Reverend Mother, what you say is true. But in every room there is a crucifix and when I see Jesus on the cross; it gives me strength to bear my own cross and to suffer with love. I really don't care for fancy clothes and luxuries, and I long to be a Sister, giving my life to Jesus." The Superior was very pleased with Catherine's answer. Let us also be like Catherine and look to Jesus Crucified for help, so that we can bear all our troubles and crosses for the love of Him.

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