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

"Have"""282 THE CURE OF ARS.The following extract is from a sermon on the Feaetof the Presentation :you meditated on the love which consumedthe heart of the holy old man Simeon during his ecstasy?For, assuredly, he was in ecstasy when he held the InfantJesus in his arms. He had asked of God that he mightbehold the Redeemer of Israel, and God had promised togrant his prayer. Fifty years did he spend in this expectation, burning with desire for its fulfilment. WhenMary and Joseph came into the Temple, God said to him :4He is here. Then taking the Infant Jesus in his arms,and pressingHim to his heart, which overflowed with love,and kindled at the touch of the Holy Child, the good oldman exclaimed Now, Lord, let me die : ! Then hegave back Jesus to His Mother he was;only suffered tokeep Him for one moment. But we, my brethren, did weknow it, are far happier than Simeon. We may keepHim always if we will. He comes not only into ourarms, but into our heart.man, how happy art thou, didst thou but understandthy happiness ! Didst thou understand it,thouwouldst die for joy ; ay, thou wouldst surely die for joy!Thou wouldst die of love ! That God gives Himself tothee ;thou mayest carry Him away with thee,if thouwilt ;whither thou wilt, He is one with thee !Sometimes he would allude to passing events whichaffected the welfare of religionor the Church. In 1849he thus spoke of the sorrows of the Holy Father :It would seem that, in the absence of His Vicar, ourLord Himself is returning to earth to manifest Himselfonce more among men in His suffering humanity. Youhave heard of the new miracle which has taken place atRome ;the veil with which St. Veronica wiped the sacred