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

""40 THE CUH OF ARS.ctbers the inflexible rule of his own actions." He wassevere to himself, gentle and indulgent towards others,especially to the poor and lowly. His heart and his pursewere open to all. One instance among many has beenpreserved of his tender charity. He had persisted for along time in wearing a cassock so old and ragged as tocall forth the frequent remonstrances of his friends, whotold him that the dignity of his office called for a moresuitable exterior. He would answer, I will see aboutit ;"but still his slender salary melted away in alms, andthe ragged cassock continued to be worn. At last, havingbeen beset more urgently than usual, he determined toput the sum necessary for the purchase of a cassock intothe hands of the tailor s wife. Some days afterwards hereceived a visit from a lady, whom her own abundantalms, and the troubles of the times, had reduced to theextremity of distress. At the end of a conversation whichwrung his heart by the picture of noble suffering thusexhibited, the vicaire hurried to the tailor s wife, andasked her for his money. The good woman, who by nomeans wished to lose a job for her husband, brought forward a hundred good reasons against restoring the money,each more luminous and eloquent than the last."Yes,yes, all very was thewell," only reply of the determinedvicaire ;and we will see aboutbut give me my money,it afterwards." And the price of the cassock found itswayto the noble lady through an unsuspected channel. Thelife which the holy cure and his young vicaire led in common was that of the strictest religiousorder.They saiJthe canonical office together at a fixed and invariablehour ; they slept in their clothes ; they made a day s retreat every month, and the spiritual exercises every year.M. Vianney was never weary of expatiating on the