Afraid To Look Upon The Bride Of Christ

The Little Sisters V.V. of Jesus and Mary

One time St. Francis was giving a mother and her daughter the comfort of the Word of God. All the while he spoke, he never looked at them, and so when they left, his companion said to him, "Father, that holy woman and her virgin daughter came to you with such devotion; why didn't you look at them? But the holy father answered, "Who would not be afraid to look upon the bride of Christ? A whole sermon was preached with my eyes and face when they looked at me, but not I at them."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life - 114

T