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

""VISIT OF M. LACROIX. 16^Mass.While he was thus engaged, I had an opportunityof observing the extreme thinness of that mortified body,which resembled a shadow rather than the body of a livingman. I noticed at the same time a singular vivacity andenergetic decision in all his movements. I followed himto the altar of St. Philomena,to whom he had a specialdevotion, and by whose intercession he has obtained somany miracles. There he said his Mass. The votiveofferings of every kind which hangall round the walls ofthe chapel speak of the number sf sicknesses and sorrowswhich have there found relief. Here it was that a paralytic,having suddenly arisen and walked, as at the word of ourLord Himself, the holy priest, embarrassed and distressedby the enthusiastic admiration and gratitude of the spectators, complained to the Saint with a humility. whichbetrayed the whole secret of his power.*Ah,St. Philomeua,when you grant me such graces, let it be in secret.Heal them at home, and spare my unworthiness such confusion as this.After the Mass was over, I hoped that the Cure* ofArs would be at last accessible. It was the time he hadappointed me. But I was again mistaken. The churchwas thronged, and the crowd had separated me from himas he returned to the sacristy.I was obliged again to pinythe part of a spectator, and I saw the rest of his morningwork. He had reappeared in his surplice on the steps ofthe choir. A quantity of medals and rosaries were broughtto him to be blessed ;several children were led up to him,on whom he laid his hands. When he had satisfied everybody, he went into a little sacristy at the right side of thechurch, where he received, one after another, severaMidieswho had come to consult him.In an hour s time he reappeared, and returned to the