The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1908-07-25
BROKEN CRUCIfIx
Inspires the Daughter Of M
Jaures, the
French Socialist Leader, to
Take the Veil.

Va NS4 "a S4AS 3OOI S4oI0S SO1l0LIl1SoS
at st. clare's Abbey, Carlow Graf
que. ireland. Father Paul. o. S., F. c..
after dwelling upon the triumrhs Of
the cross among savage peoples, said
it was not necessary to go into I'M
civilized parts nor centuries back to
find miracles Of Gods tender mercies.
Who, he asked, in recent times has
not heard Of that advanced leader of
the Socialist party in France, M.
Jaures, more notorious enemy OF tho
church and Of the crucifix than ever
were the cannibals Of Brazil. Well, only
few months ago an incident was go
ing the rounds Of the Partisan papers
that brought tears to many eyes and
sent thrillof Joy to many hearts. Ono
evening. when M. Jaures had returned
from the Chamber Of Deputies after a
hard days work. in which he had en-
deavored-and to his mind successfully
endeavored-to kill the Church in
France, he threw himself into IN easy
chair in his study and heavsd a sigh
of relief that the debate was over and
that he had some time for repose.
Suddenly a gentle knock was heard
at the door; graceful hand pushed
aside tho rich hangings. and there
stood before him the tall, slight and
handsome form of his daughter Lean
ing on chair close by, she sweetly
said, Father. you must be very tired.
yes he replied. Il am" ooh, then
I should not have come" she continued.
"oh, don't say that" he returned. "1
am very pleased to see you. What is
it?" "Well. father" she timsdly spoke
for a long tine I have been anxious
to enter convent and conseoraae my
self to God" ooh, nonsense!'' he etac-
ulated. What put that into your
head? Have you spoken to your gov
erness about it," "Ah, no." said she,
the governess has no religion, and she
does not know anything about such
matters" /,
WELL he continued, "some one
must have led you to this brink OF the
abyss, and I am anxious to know all
about It," ''Father" she went on, ut
was this way. About four years ago
the governess and myself were out for
a walk in the country. We strolled
away on q lonely road TIL we came to
where one Of the wayside CROSSES had
been pulled down and the crucifix brok.
en- to pieces. The sovernesss and my
self set about putting the pieces to-
gether as best we could, just as chill.
dren build houses from littla blocks.
Soon we had every piece in its place,
and the crucifix was complete. But. oh.
from that day to this the look from the
eyes Of that broken cructax has caused
a harvest Of ideas to spring up in my
soul that no one ever sowed t'.ere: It's
vision has ever haunted my mind and
inspired me to make some rApara&ion
for all this sacrilege. have been Eeld
back, and my heart torn at the thought
Of leaving You, but then tho sorrows Of
Jesus crucified have been my strength
and consolation. I have PRAYED Him
to let me share FIis sorrows, that may
win for you the light TO know Him,
that we may both live and love. Him to.
gether.''
Her voice was choleed IN her sobs;
she could say no more. He, too. broke
down; he shuddered: he grew pale;
he motioned her to leave; he wished
her to be alone.
oh. what mysterious incident How
irresistible the voice Of Jesus from the
cross. Well has the Scripture express
sed it. "The heart OF man d!sposeth
his way. but the Lord must direct his
steps" What shattersng Of the
proud conceits Of the notorious per-
secutor Of the Church! He had egged
on the atheists Of France to pull down
the wayside crosses-to remove tho
symbols Of salvation from the eyes
Of the peasantry. But the broken
crucihx will make its voice heard
whore he knows not. God will reign
from the wooden throne. and con-
quer the choicest soul under the per-
securities own roof and lead away into
seclusion the child Of His bosom. He
had attempted to extinguish the light
Of faith in the heart Of his country.
but the broken crucifix kiMdled a
flame on his own hearth that nothing
could extinguish. He had banished
from his home every symbol Of re-
ligion, everything that could remind
his fair child Of God and His king
dom. but the broken crucifix on the
lonely wayside had frustrated all his
wicked designs and had stamped the
image Of Jesus so deep on her heart
that nothing could blot it out,