The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-04-24

l on can get ready while | hear the confessions
OF the others. can you?"
Yes. Father" said Joe, heartily. He had
siS'es 10 teaze now, and entered with will into the
examination of his conscience. And when his turn
came, lie thought with a heart full of gratitude
now surprised his mother and sisters would be.
he lad the blushing rose he had received
liable and entered the temporary confessional.
y Hen ne lett 1t, he took up the rose and with
loving KISS went on the altar again and de-
posted 1t with the other flowers that decorated
statue OF our Blessed Mother. He then hurried
nome: His first act to give his mother a re-
sounding kiss. He took his seat at the suppertable
IN silence, and was so quiet that his mother in
CURED the cause
Been to confession" he said
me girls stared at him in delighted surprise.
linen he told the story of the special favor
granted to those who helped with the altar.
Mary, said her mother, II told you we would
be sure to gain a great blessing from visiting the
sick. Now we know what it is We met Father
Kelly there, and he thought out way to get Joe
10 go to confession. 1t is the first time ever heard
OF HIM hearing confessions in the vestry of those
who could go into the regular confessonals. He
must have done all this for our Joe"
We'll" said Joe. 'he had no difficulty about
getting me to go, and you will not Bother your
dear head about ii any more for some time. |
want to tell you, left that rose Father Reilly gave
me at Our Lady's altar with promise, if she will
aid me-"
q
No" replied Joe. Il asked her to help to en-
able me to make the nine first Fridays. While I
happened TO be trimming one of the plants, ] saw
paper sticking to it. 1t was leafet of the
promises of Our Lord to Blessed Margaret Mary.
1t seemed such an easy way to gain Heaven by try
ing to please God i'll this respect that determined
to try and make the nine Fridays even before
had finished trimming that particular plant
spoke to Father Reilly after confession about it,
and got heaps of encouragement from him
His mothers only comment was pat. hfe
companied her and his sisters to church, and pa
tlenty waited till they had their turns.
Joe was awakened the next morning by Wig
orous shake, and. on opening his eyes, was sur
prlsed to see his father.
Jump up. Joe; it's time going to
church. am so glad you and the girls and mother
are prepared to receive. | would feel quite lone
some If | had to go to the altar alone"
Mr. Gleason had arrived home at midnight from
long trip. Knowing his wife's annual Easter
Communion, he tried to reach home in time to go
to confession at the parish church. but an accident
on the way stalled the train he was in at little
town. Looking out of the window of the delayed
car, he saw the spire of Catholic church. He
found the church open. and after making his con-
fesslon re-embarked. He reached home five hours
behind time, and when his wife began to prepare
repast for him. he stopped her by telling that he
had been to confession at parish one hundred
and fifty miles up the state, and hoped the rest of
the family were to receive Holy Communion the
next morning
Joe felt glow of gratitude and thankfulness
pervade his whole being as he received Communion.
He wondered at that instant how he could have
been so indifferent about it. He felt that for him
Christ was risen indeed and could join in the glad
hymn of paradise with thankful heart
Did he make the nine first Fridays Yes but
with what trials and battles with the evil one he
had So it always is; but he kept the twelfth prom
lse' of Our Lord TO Margaret Mary always before
his eyes, and thought of that awful time when his
soul would have to leave his body and triumphed
This Is the twelfth promise of Our Lord
Il promise thee in the excessive mercy of Ny
heart that My apowerful love will grant to all
those who communicate on the first Friday in nine
consecutive months, the grace of final penitence
they shall not die in Ny disgrace nor without re-
ceiving their sacraments: Ny Divine Heart shall
be their safe refuge in this last moment"