Life of St John Vianney.pdf - the Catholic Kingdom!

""104 THE CURE OF A.RS.who assured me that in the islands where he was stationed almost all the inhabitants were Caiholics. Hetold rne that they had built thirty churches in a year.My children, there is so little faith among us now, that apriest told me, a little while ago, that when he went tovisit a sick parishioner to speak to him about confession kthe sick man said to him, M. le Cure, let us speak of war.Then he called a servant, and said to him, Go and drawa bottle of wine ;I want to drink with M. le Cure. Ashe was going to drink, he said, You have got twoglasses you have taken mine. Alas, poor man, his;sight began to fail him ; but he would never consent tomake his confession. Before he died he insisted uponbeing carried to his granary and he ;said, as if speakingto Death, Oh, no, not yet;not this year. I have toomuch to do. Next year, if you will. Then he was carried into his cellar, saw all his provision of wine, and saidagain, Not this year. But he was obliged to departall the same.I have heard of another who could never be persuaded to take holy water ;of another who would nevermake the sign of the cross.my children, this showswhat a state we are come to, and that it is a sad thingwhen the faith has left our hearts. My children, anotherpriest, who was administering the last Sacraments to asick person, said to him, My friend, make a^n act of contrition. Father, I don t know what it is. It is askingpardon of the good God for all our sins. Oh, I knownothing about it ; and so he died.my children, howsad this is ! Let us pray to the good God not to sufferus to lose faith.There are some who are always repeating, Thepriests say what they choose. No. my children, th