The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-12-09
The Priests Story

the First FRIDAY, ana NUMBER OF my
Catholic friends were gathered in my
room. We had been chatting and tell
ing stories since supper time, and as
/ it was nearing the hour Of eight |
decided to leave my visitors in charge
Of my roommate and slip off quietly
to the parish church and go to con-
fession.
You're not going to leave us,
Harry" queried Ned Lennon in sur
prise, as arose from my chair and
started for my coat.
"Yes,'' / replied, I'm going to con-
fession, for wont have time to go in
the morning before Mass, and tomor-
row, you know, is the First Friday"
ooh, pshaw, that's all right, but
can't you go Sunday just as well as
tomorrow" put in Tom Woodwork,
who was just beginning to feel the
effect of city life and was fast losing
ground in regard to his former reli-
gious practices.
"Get up early in the morning and
go, them ventured my roommate,
Larry Ryan, with smile, for he knew
only too we'll my weakness for over
sleeping in the morning.
81 made the Nine Fridays once,
but fellow doesn't have to keep it
up all his life spoke up Dan Butler
with a don't be too pious' air.
I'D like to remain" replied firmly,
"and I'm sorry to break away like this,
but can't help it; however, I'll be
back in a short time. Besides" l
. added, my going to Holy Communion
on the First Friday is sort of pledge
! the world
. Then happy thought came to me,
and reaching into my pocket drew
4 forth a little leather case containing
badge of the Sacred Heart.
Fellows" | said, holding it in my
hand, II want to tell you little story
in connection with this badge before |
go to confession, and then perhaps
you will better understand just why |
am so particular about not missing a
First Friday"
Dropping into a chair, noticed my
friends settling themselves comfort
ably and assuming an attitude of close
attention.
ct was this way began. Il was
spending a few days of my Christmas
vacation with Father Mcnamara, who
had been an old and dear friend OF
my father when they were students
together, and who was, until short
time ago, the beloved pastor of one
of the most fiourishing parishes in one
of the largest cities of the Middle
: West. It was the night before the
First Friday of January, and as
, had gone to confession early in the
evening was comfortably seated look
ing over the latest Catholic magazines
that were lying on the table of the
rectory library 1t was bitterly cold
: night, and outside, the wind howled
: like an arch-fiend as it hurled ava
lanches of snow in binding sheets
against the windows.
: Father Mcnamara had just come
in from the church, where he and his
! three assistants had been hearing con
LESSONS for several hours past, fol
t the First Friday in HolysRosary parish
!, always meant the hearing of hundred!
! of confessions the day and nigh
: before.
), GA stormy night, Father said
: glancing up, as he stepped over t
q the big CRATE giving out genia
!, warmth
One of the very worst nights
; have ever seen, my boy he answered
/ as he held his hands down to the fire
I hope no poor soul is out in thu
I cold such night as this he addet
> as he glanced over toward the bill
window, rafting with the wind ant
q driving snow.
"sAnd | hope you wont be callet
q out on sick caTl,' said, as I notet
the tired lines ON the good priest
9 face.
: well, you know we must take tn,
: bitter with the sweet he answered
!. and we priests never count. on mucl
! in the way of genuine comfort, an.
: how, for our time is never our own
: AS he spoke he walked over to tn,
window and looked out long and earn
estly, the expression ON his face indi
: eating deep thought
. 4 wonder if some poor soul need
me tonight?' he soliloquized
Harry he said finally, as h.
pulled his chair near the IRE AM
/ gazed reminiscent1y into it, Harry
/ want to tell you a little story
a true story that happened exact1.
twenty years ago tonight, a night 0
such storm as, we are having now,
II He settled back in his chair and
far-away look came into his eyes, eye
in which the love of God and mai
shone with the true light of heaven
see him now as / saw him then, thu
kindly old priest with his spiritua
face and smile that would warm tn,
! most obdurate heart