Jesus, in the days of his earthly life, with a loud cry and tears, offered up prayers and supplications to him who was able to save him from death, and was heard because of his reverent submission'. (Heb. 5. 7). Thus writes St Paul of the prayer and agony of Christ in the garden.

Notice that St Paul does not say that Jesus prayed to be saved from death. but to ‘him who was able to save him from death'. For what, then, did he pray, if not to be saved from death; St Catherine of Siena gives an answer to this question which at first surprised her spiritual director, Blessed Raymond of Capua. But after hearing Catherine's further explanation, Raymond could say only: ‘I kept silent, and simply admired the grace and wisdom she had received from God'. (Raymond of Capua, St Catherine of Siena New York: p. 147).