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

""DRAWN FOR THE CONSCRIPTION. 23them to him, and arrived at home without any, to thegreat dissatisfaction of his father, who, charitable as hewas, was not inclined to carry things quite so far as hisson.Though instances like this betokened no great shareof what the world calls common sense, Jean Marie hadalready a large measure of that gift of counsel, which isitssupernatural counterpart, and by which he was in afterlife so eminently fitted for the office of director of souls.An example of this occurred during his residence at Pointdu-jour.One of his cousins received a letter from a friendwho had lately entered a monastery, painting in most attractive colours the delights and advantages of a religiouslife. The young man was exceedingly affected and disturbed, and for many days endured a most painful struggle between the desire to share the happiness thus setbefore him, and the claims of duty to an aged father andmother, who had no other earthly stay but himself. Nosooner did these Christian parents come to the knowledgeof the conflict that was going on in his heart than theysaid to him, You belonged to God before you belongedto us ; it is His will that is to be ascertained ; go to yourcousin and ask his advice. He is so wise and reasonablethat we may safely follow his The letter wasjudgment."accordingly delivered to Jean Marie, who, having read it,said, without a moment s hesitation,Stay where youare, my friend ; your aged parents want you to helpthem, to comfort them, and to close their :eyes this isyour vocation."The years thus went peacefully by at Point-du-jourtill a new blow fell, which seemed destined to be the death-8U*oke of all his hopes. In the autumn of 1809 the youngstudent was drawn for the conscription.As soon as he