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

""i6bTHE CURE OF ARS.choir, when the confessions of the men immediately recommenced. Whenever I caught sight of him, I was too faroff to get at him ; he seemed always to escape me. I wason the point of losing my temper but a little reflection;made me ashamed of this movement of impatience, for thesight of this saintly man, thus spending himself and givinghis whole time to the needs of others, made me feel howunworthy it would be in me to grudge a little of my ownfor the blessing of an interview with him.It was now nearly nine o clock, and the same movement which had shut the door of the sacristry against methe evening before rendered it inaccessible to me now.Each took his place, and entered in his turn. There wereindeed some exceptions to the rule. A few bustling andobstinate ladies contrived to make their way, in spite ofall obstacles, to the great indignation of the rest of theassembly. Sometimes the cure himself pointed out someone whom he wished to admit a ; preference which excitedno displeasure. The sick and infirm always found immediate admittance. When the Marseillaise lady appeared,with her two afflicted children, she had only to wait M.Vianney s next disengaged moment. From time to timea group was seen kneeling before the altar of those whohad just been reconciled with God. The vicaire appeared,opened the tabernacle, and gave them holy Communion.All these various movements sometimes produced a certaindegree of confusion, which required a little surveillance ;but then the gentleman whom I no longer took for asacristan, and for whom I felt great respect, went frombench to bench, calming everybody, and restoring orderand peace.This sublime scene of charity had now gone on forten hours ; he who was its hero had never for a single