9. What time or place for prayer ever
escaped her? To this she was drawn before all other things in the
day; or rather, who had such hope of receiving an immediate answer to
her requests? Who paid such reverence to the hand and countenance
of the priests? Or honoured all kinds of philosophy? Who
reduced the flesh by more constant fast and vigil? Or stood like
a pillar at the night long and daily psalmody? Who had a greater
love for virginity, though patient of the marriage bond herself?
Who was a better patron of the orphan and the widow? Who aided as
much in the alleviation of the misfortunes of the mourner? These
things, small as they are, and perhaps contemptible in the eyes of
some, because not easily attainable by most people (for that which is
unattainable comes, through envy, to be thought not even credible), are
in my eyes most honourable, since they were the discoveries of her
faith and the undertakings of her spiritual fervour. So also in
the holy assemblies, or places, her voice was never to be heard
except Except,
etc. Lit., “except the necessary and mystical (i.e.,
liturgical) [words].” in the necessary
responses of the service.