Learning that God was born of a Virgin, I was touched and hurt by such a great love

Since my early childhood, when I understood that God existed, I have always been careful and fearful of my salvation and my observance. But when I learned that God was my creator and the judge of all my actions, I loved him intimately; I feared at any moment to offend him by my words or my actions.

Afterwards, when I learned that he had given the law and his commandments to the people, and had done so many wonders for them, I resolved firmly in my soul to love only him, and worldly things became bitter to me.

After that, knowing that God also redeemed the world and was born of a Virgin, I was touched and hurt by such a great love for him, that I only thought of him and wanted only him.

I stayed away as much as I could from common conversations and the presence of my parents and my friends; I gave to the poor all that I could, and kept only simple clothes for myself and a little to live by.

From the Revelations of the Virgin Mary to Saint Bridget of Sweden’s visions of the Virgin Mary, in "Celestial Revelations" Vol. I, ch. 10