Behold how he became despised for you, and follow him, become despised for him in this world. Very noble queen, when you desire to follow your Bridegroom, more beautiful than all the sons of men, who for your salvation became the most wretched of men, despised, beaten and scourged all over his body, and died in the agony of the cross: behold, reflect, and consider.
If you suffer with him, you will reign with him; if you feel pain with him, you will rejoice with him, if you die with him on the cross of suffering, you will possess a heavenly dwelling in the glory of the saints, and your name will be written in the book of life.
(St. Clare /1194–1253/, second letter addressed to St. Agnes of Bohemia /1211–1282/)
