The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-06-10
HAPPINESS OF CARRYING CON-
ISOLATION TO THE SICK.


lated has reference to pagan VINO
asked to be baptized before death. II
says:
Doubtless many pagans die in their
error and blindness through their own
Indifference or prejudice, but Others
perhaps for some especial act OF CHAR
itv or natural virtue, are blessed oy
God with an opportunity of receiving
baptism in their last hour. Recently
a certain sick man, feeling that his
end was approaching, sent for my
catechist and earnestly begged to be
baptized.
eff, Notwithstanding the gravity OF
my illness, I happen to recover, ne
said, II will do all that can to prove
myself good Christian"
The catechist baptized him. A few
moments afterwards he said to his
family:
"By persisting in my pagan errors
7 nearly missed Heaven. When have
passed away, see to it that no heather
sacrifices are offered at my tomb;
destroy all your objects of superstl-
ton: study the catechism, that you
may have the happiness which l now
enjoy"
After his death, his last wishes were
strictly observed. The elder son is
taken up with work in the fields, but
the younger, who knows how to read,
is not only studying the Catholic re-
ligion himself, but is teaching it's
truths to his mother and sister-ln-
law.
In a few years l hope to have an
encouraging number of converts. AT
present, when, mere or there, cate
chumen falls away, for time only l
trust, l console myself by the thought
of the others who are persevering with
edifying steadfastness.
Last March, while the ground was
still covered with snow, | set out to
visit all my district, in order to give
my people chance to approach the
sacraments of Penance and the Holy
Eucharist. l also desired to become
acquainted with those who live at a
distance from the mission station. This
first trip into an unknown region had
for me all the charms of an exploring
expedition.
All, it is sweet to me to exercise
my sacred ministry in the deep gorges
of this Wild mountain country, where
the tigers rove, seeking their prey and
sometimes even attacking the human
inhabitants in their frail houses whose
walls are of oiled paper.
When I am staying in one of those
isolated villages my people gather
around me in the evening, after their
days work in the fields. The place
of assembly is usually a room adjoin-
ing the oratory. The men and chill
dren occupy the foreground; the wo-
men are seated around the walls. The
air in the cabin is not very refresh
ing, for the natives are far from clean
ly, but still l manage to appear at
my ease and chat with them in a
friendly manner.
They ask me many questions about
myself.
missionary, did your mother weep
when you left her to come to this land
which must be so strange to your
a young man inquiries.
Yes, indeed, she wept bitterly
reply.
Then why did you leave her, if you
had means for your support at home?
demanded another.
81 left her that l might teach you
how to save your SOUL" explain. "My
sisters will take care of my mother
and console her for my absence"
Il would never have the courage
to leave my relatives, even to preach
the Gospel in Europe" the young man
who spoke first naively declares.
Nor l." agrees another.
And so the topic of missionary
vocation is passed over. Neverthe
less, when l bid farewell, even fol
time, to one little village of Ko
rean Catholics, l leave a part of my
heart there. The sight of new faces
does not cause me to forget those with
which / have already become tamil
lar.
My parishioners to the number Of
about 800 are scattered in little vii
lagos over tract of country as large
as some dioceses in the United States
Usually they built their cabins around
the cabin of the catechist, who has
been sent to instruct them and to leat
their religious services in the absence
of the missionary.
In the catechist's house there is al
oratory where the faithful assemble
for prayers on Sundays, and here thu
priest celebrates the Holy Sacrifice o
the Mass when he visits the settle
ment
1t was not without a certain curios
ity that / first entered one of thest
native chapels. / found it adorned
with several rude statues representa-:
Our Blessed Lady and two or tire,
saints. A crucifix hung above tn,