How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Page)
Quote #1
And when she came to the point of saying that thing which she had so long concealed, her confessor was a little too hasty and began sharply to reprove her before she had fully said what she meant, and so she would say no more in spite of anything he might do. (I.1.41)
Kempe is nearly driven to despair because of an insensitive priest. In this delicate post-partum moment, she loses her will to unburden her soul, which would have helped her heal. It's important that she begins her narrative with this episode, as though it is meant to instruct priests to be more compassionate and encourage women to persevere.
Quote #2
And before she arrived there, she said to them that she supposed they were annoyed with her, "I pray you, sirs, be in charity with me, for I am in charity with you, and forgive me if I have annoyed you along the way. And if any of you have in any way trespassed against me, God forgive you for it, as I do." (I.28.103)
Just before arriving in the Holy Land, Kempe settles the score with her treacherous companions. And though they've been most un-Christian in their behavior to her, she's schooling them on how to do things right. The word "charity" here isn't what you think; it's not about giving a handout to those less fortunate. This charity is caritas: the love each human being is supposed to have for others because each person is supposed to be made in God's image.
Quote #3
And she had such great compassion and such great pain to see our Lord's pain, that she could not keep herself from crying and roaring though she should have died for it. (I.28.104)
When she is in Jerusalem, Kempe's affective piety reaches new heights. She's so affected by the suffering of Christ that she suffers emotional meltdown in many places and learns to "cry"—which really means scream, wail, shriek, screech, you name it. It's a new affliction that's meant to show her increasing understanding of Christ's sacrifice.