St. Lea

All That is Known of Lea

Who will praise the blessed Lea

as she deserves? She renounced

painting her face and adorning her head

with shining pearls. She exchanged

her rich attire for sackcloth, and ceased

to command others in order to obey all.

She dwelt in a corner with a few bits of

furniture; she spent her nights in prayer,

and instructed her companions through

her example rather than through protests

and speeches.

And she looked forward to her arrival

in heaven in order to receive her recompense

for the virtues which she practiced on earth.

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*found text, spoken by St. Jerome