Fear To Look Upon The Bride Of Christ

Once, when St. Francis was going to Bevagna, he refreshed a mother and her virgin daughter (who was vowed to God) with the word of God. But while he preached to them, he did not look at either of them in the face. When they departed, his companion said to Francis: "Why, Brother, did you not look at the holy virgin who came with such great devotion?" The father answered: "Who must not fear to look upon the bride of Christ? But when a sermon is preached with the eyes and the face she looks at me, but not I at her."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Secon Life
CHAPTER LXXX - 114