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

"You"""BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD. 7In the long winter evenings he would sit for hours byhis mother s side, talking with her of God and holy things,till her heart swelled with ^joy that her long-cherishedhopes were thus being realised in the early sanctity of herchild. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin was the sentimentearliest developed in his soul.have long loved the Blessed Virgin,"said hisassistant priest to him one day.I loved her even before I knew her," replied he ;was my first affection. When I was quite little I had apretty little rosary, to which rny sister took a fancy; shewanted to have it. This was one of myfirst troubles. Iwent to consult my mother about it. She advised me togive it up for the love of God. I obeyed; but it cost memany tears."All these holy affections grew with his growth prayer;was his delight before he understood it to be his duty. Itwas the spontaneous language of his lips, which were neverprofaned by any of the coarse and unbefitting words socommonly learned by village children. He was shieldedfrom the knowledge of evil by the pure atmosphere of hisfather^ house, and he seldom left his mother s side but toitretire to some quiet corner to pour out his heart to hisheavenly Mother.When he was about four years old, he one day disappeared and could nowhere be found. His mothei, havinglong sought him with increasing anxiety, found him at laston his knees, in a corner of the stable, praying most fervently. Suppressing her feeling of joy and admiration, shereproved him severely for the trouble and anxiety he hadoccasioned. Why, my child, have you caused me allthis uneasiness, and why have you taken it into yourhead to hide yourself from me to say your prayers?"