The same is said in St Birgitta of Sweden's Vita, that her knees became as hard as those of a camel. Presumably her daughter Catherine saw them. I had thought this was noted because both mother and daughter would have seen camels on their Holy Land pilgrimage in 1372. but now I sadly realise it is just a hagiographical topos! |However, I can remember as a novice when my knees got calloused! >* Tarsilla, virgin (sixth century) >- aunt of St Gregory the Great; after her death, her knees were found to >be as hard as camel hide, due to her continual kneeling in prayer (this, >according to Gregory's testimony) > ____ Julia Bolton Holloway, [log in to unmask] Hermit of the Holy Family via del Partigiano 16, Montebeni, 50014 FIESOLE, ITALY http://members.aol.com/juliansite/Juliansite.htm She beheld her God that is her Maker, marvelling with great reverence that he would be born of her that was a simple creature of his making. For this was her marvelling, that he that was her Maker would be born of her that is made. Julian of Norwich, 'Showings', Westminster Manuscript, fol. 72 verso %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%