The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1869-10-31
Louis veuillOt's Conversion.
FIRST coalMUSrox.

Louis Yeuillots Conversion
FIRST COMMUNION.
was brought up as badly as it was possible
to be with respect to religious instruction, nos
only in ignorance of truth, but in tone OF
mind in respect, and in the superstition OF
error When left my scholastic classes, l was
well furnished with stock OF arSul1leIi;;s lthi;
oTainst our Blessed Lord and the Cathotlc
Church. / lived afterwards, as q genuine son /
of Paris, and a true citizen of the Quarter
Mentmatre, occupied with my business anu , ue,
voting to politics and anusements the houlS
in which was not engaged in the acquire
meut of riches. / got married about TINS thlle;
God granted that should a11a meet WIN Mbsrsin |
only sought-money AlthoughSshe had Decn
brought up like myself, my wife was nshch
better than was; she possesses @ sense o.
ligion which was strongly developed wneR5sns
became n mother; and, after the birth OF tns
first child she entered wholly INTO the paehs 81
religion. When think OF all TINS my 'arjs ne'aT 10
moyed with a sentiment of gratitude towarus
God of which, it seems to ME, snonia hetSi
cease to sneak, thought can never suthclently
express it, But ut ths 51Ihe h., IKE Ti; be-
| lieye / should never have dreamed OF having
INV cbilJreu baptized. The children, however,
grew up The elder ones ina induo Of tpi t%a event.
Full of confidence in their mother, lett to ner
| the government of their little world, whicn
| eryirtues, whose influence felt, though per
| ceiyed il not. The youngest child was grow
inp-np, His turn was coming. That poor III
tie fellow was of savage temper, ana was
| 5eynidt S,o Of much that was lovable If loved
him no less than the others was no"oEI!, xI,
more disposed to severity towards MN. MS il
mother used to say IF tdTs Eis First Communion
comes ronnd." Such change at the period
fnoTfcd seemed to me-yery unlikely. However,
the child began to learn ms catschisn' anu nIi,5
CIV, indeed a very sensible and very RAPID
change for the better coming over
him This attracted my j, attent'Ga. 9,e G4 ~ l
this little heart fighting, against lts oWF F
/ incIinations this character becoming sottcnedS
docile respectfuT and affeetionate. L admired
that work which reason does not 2ccoiiiI,lisi5i u
oyoono men and the child which had loved
the least, became to me the dearest OF all.
Meanwhile, reflected seriously upon such q
/ marvellous occurrence. began to near ms
nateehisIo cate lessons In herring them recalled
to mind the course of philosophy ana 1noTalS !,
which had observed the world practice, alas
without having myself been able to observe ~; !;
Tbe nrobleri of good and evil, on which / mad
avoided to look account of my Inc capaciGy
! TO solve it, presented itself to me In terrible
iight which astonished ME. felt that my oD-
| iections we're shameful and culpable MY WIG
Observed nv state, and said nothing; but l
assiduous she was IN prayeFfsa-sds
fheir love to mine. l said to myself, my. wife
| ard NV child love in me something whlch 90
not love in them, or even IN myseit-ltls Is my
soul - ,,o ~
hand 1t was no longer sentiment OF auec-
sentiment that cannot explain; which seemed
strange to me, almost humiliatIng, and whlch
resolved itself at times into species OF lrritf-
, tion.7 had respect for h'm 1t oNercame me
, Ii dare not express in his presence attain ideas
which the struggling condition OF my lnlno i
| produced IN me. did not wish that they
| should make an impression on lam.
+ II only wanted five or six days to the grea
: event One morning on returning from Mass
t the child came to me IN my cooIne'' "tieie
Pana.D said he, "on the day of my Firs
$ Communion, will not go to the altar withou
: asking your pardon for allth faults when
4 have done, and all the sorrows have cause'
a vou and until you give me your blessing
. Mind we'll all the evil that have done TO re
Il proach me with it, SO that may not do 1t an
IT more and that you may pardon 1t ali:, e. NJ
A. chiIdD answered ], '' father forgiycs an .eNe
70 to child who is not good; but havethe haI
3 u;ness to tell Won now have nothing 10 @ Iol
# rive you-I am quite pleased with you.-Con
a. tinue to be good, love the coed God, be ialthtu
v to Your duties, and your mother and VII
n very happy o, papa, the good t,S"t Eou mn U,n
ID be YOUR consolation, as desire to be. Pray fe
r me. papa" " Yes, my dear child" .
h He looked at me and his eyes we're filled vat
re | tenrB He throw his arms around my neck.
"a !. PanaD continued he, "What my child
i "Papa, have something to ask of you.
% i saw before that he had something to ash
{ and what it was knew we'll Must l adm
al itR was afraid of the question, ana ha
IS the coyynrtlice To profit by his hesitation.
IN him this evening or tomorrow you VIII tie
r me what YOU wish for, aud if your mother SCI
2 il is GOOD for you L will give it to yon"
IN The poor little fellow all confused, wante
u courage and after having embraced me agar
.y withdrew with rueful- facG-i -intnt the hit
e room where he slept, between my-study an
ie his mothers room. 1 regretted not having u
ii tanned to what he was about to ask, aud ais
a. reoretted the cowardice that induced me
as send him away. followed him on tiptoe
q order TO console him by caress, if shou
N find him very sad. The door of the little roo
was half open. looked in without makiI
Il, anLy noise He was on his knees before an II
~ age of the Blessed Virgini he was pEaylI
ty with all his heart. All assure YOU tnat
10 learned that day what effect the appardion
e. an angel can produce.
ny 1 returned and sat down at my desk, al
n bending down my head began to weep. T
IN NAMED SO for some minutes. When l rais'
of nv ewes my little boy was before me, ms Ia
is animated with contending emotions-fear, =
of solution and love.
,h "a Papa,'' said he " what have to ask Of Y
o. cannot be put back, and my mother viii FL
IL it good 1t is that ON the day Of my = First Coz
gs I'mrfnion Won Will come to the Holy Table VI
~ mps Don't refuse me, papa. DO that iOr 4