The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-07-26

them by the administration of the Holy Sacra
ment of Penance. He was disguised 30 that ii
would have been impossible to have guessed
at his sacred ministry. Surely God in His
goodness never granted greater favor than
this. The joy of making this confession was
too much for the crusader, worn and wearied
with his captivity. He was never quite the
same after it; his face glowed with a new
light. 1t was as though the glory of heaven
shone already upon it. His voice grew sweeter
and clearer, yet more feeble; day by day
strange pains attacked him there were times
when he could not distinguish between dreams
and things which really occurred. AS he
worked amidst the flowers, strange stupors
came over him, and he could take no note of
time. weak faint trembling seized him. and
yet he could not touch the coarse food given
him to eat. Even the ripe fruit that still he
found at times in his cell lay there untasted.
Strange dreams came to him. There were
times when he forgot that he was lonely cap
tive in a foreign land, and he fancied himself
again child, lispipg his pray ers at his mothers
knee or praying before the image in the grove
Again he rode victorious knight in the field
| of battle, carrying before him his we'll loved
| shield, whereon shone the stainless lily, the
| emblem of his Queen.
Yet, in the midst of these pains and trials,
the bright soul grew more beautiful day by
day, and more fit for heaven. There was little
stain upon the purity of the white robe given
to him in his baptism. He had made good use
of his sorrows. One and all he had offered
them to God in expiation of his sins; he had
grown to love suffering, because it brought
him nearer every hour to the feet of the Eter-
| E>,t> h,,1 ~ l.
endured, the brighter and radiant grew
his soul, until God smiled upon it, and it was
ready for home
|. He felt no dread when the hour of his death
approached; the glory of heaven had already
begun to dawn for him. One day-it was
when the roses were in bloom, and despite his
fast increasing illness, he was at work amongst
them-the Saracen chief had grown worse, and
could no longer bear the music which had
charmed him into rest All that day it seemed
to Bertrand that strange voices sounded in his
ears, and a dazzling light shone wherever his
eyes fell. Yet those who heard his evening
hymn said that the sweet, sad notes had never
sounded so clearly. He sang for the last time
the praises of the Lady and Queen he had
loved so well.
When evening came, he went into his cell
he could no longer withstand the weakness
that overpowered him. He sat down near the
grating, where to the last he could see tho
evening sky.
"You will help me, my Mother" he muir
INJURED. During life 1 have served you in
my death help me-"
His head fell back against the hard walls of
his cell, an act Of contrition came from his
white lips. ..rg
All, me, who repays love and fidelity like
Our LadyG must not tell you what she did |
for her knight in the hour of his death. The
glory of heaven shone in that cell. Those who
found the captive in the morning spoke with
wonder of the smile upon bis lips, and the
rapturous expression upon his face.
His mission ended his soul stood before
the great white throne of God. He is brigh
and beautiful now amongst the saints of God
and his crown is one-of surprising glory. In
heaven he bears q lily more stainless and re-
splendent than the one he bore earth.
There was grief even among the rude Sara
Gems when it became known that tho knight
was dead. The fact might have remained long
undiscovered; but, strange to tell, on the day
of his death the ransom arrived. When they
went to his cell to give him the freedom for
which he had longed once wildly, they
found mightier Power had been before them,
and set the captive free. Never again did the
sweet, clear voice sound amidst the gorgeous
Eastern flowers.
All, and when he knelt before Queen, he
did not forget the poor beathen lady who had
been kind to him. His first prayer for
her.
When the Saracen chief died, his daughter
came to England. She restored the ransom to
Hubert Dacre, and together they built church,
dedicated to our Lady of the Angels. solyma
was baptized and received the name she loved
SO dearly. She was known amongst the Car
meiites as Sister Mary of the Angels. While
she lived she loved and cherished the stainless |
lily. 1t stoed ever upon the altar of the church
before the Blessed Sacrament She liked best |
to see it there, for it seemed to her that Our |
Ladys Knight was keeping watch before his
Lord.
Men have forgotten him now, although his |
1inOerpd in THAR hearta Int IN,