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

18 THE CURlS OF ARS..vhole of human life consists in little actions which accomplish great duties. Jean Marie understood this. He didmuch (in the words of the Imitation) because he lovedmuch ; he did much, because what he did, he did well."As he went and returned to his work, he always recitedhis rosary or some other prayers.If he met with childrenof his own age, he would persuade them to go with him,and teach them the Catechism as they went along.One evening, as he was returning from the vineyardwith his elder brother and a band of labourers, he hadtaken his rosary in his hand, and was telling his beads ashe walked a little behind the others. One of the vintagerssaid to Francois in a tone of mockery, intending to beheard by Jean Marie, "And you, Francois, why don tyou mutter Pater-nosters with your brother Francois?"coloured a little ;but the generous child continued hisprayers without being in the least degree disconcerted, ormaking any reply.After the hard labour of the day, he would spend theevening in studying the Catechism, the Gospel, or prayers,which he learned by heart, and then set himself seriouslyto meditate on them overcome till, by sleep, he was obliged to retire to his bed. He had no taste for any of theusual amusements of children ;his one recreation in hisleisure moments was to make little clay figures of priestsand nuns, or altars and candlesticks. He set a certainvalue upon these handiworks, but would give them readilyto any one who would undertake to enable him to go toMass, by doing some of his work for him. He wouldthen leave them all and run off to Mass, where he wouldbe seen on his knees in a corner, with his eyes cast down,his body immovable, absorbed in profound contemplation,and often shedding abundant tears. After Mass he nevei