The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-11-09
THE SUPREME TEST.

i
spectacular about the heroism of
those who sacrifice their lives on
the altar Of Christian charity; and
yet it often has a setting which
is most strikingly dramatic.
Those who give their lives for
their fellowmen from a sense of
duty motived on love of God, are
never stimulated in their heroism
by the thought that their names
will be held in everlasting remem-
brance by men. Such devotion is
never alleged with the dross of
worldly considerations.
A striking example Of such
heroism was given last week by
the devoted Sisters of Charity of
the Incarnate Word, who were
burned to death while rescuing
the orphans entrusted to their care
in St. Johns Orphanage at San
Antonio, Texas. When fire broke
out at an early hour on October
80, their first thought was for
their little charges. Three of the
Sisters, at the command Of the
Mother Superior, led most of the
children to a place of safety, while
the other six remained in the
burning building aiding in the
work of rescue until the flames
cut off all avenues Of escape. Two
Of them were mortally injured by
jumping from a fourth-story win
dow, while the others were burned
to death striving to rescue couple
of children who were overlooked
during the first moments Of ex-
element.
Such heroic devotion to duty
makes an irresistible appeal to the
best that is in human nature. Had
the Sisters saved themselves,
which they might have done by
forsaking their charges, they
would have drawn down upon
themselves the criticism even of
those who, under similar circum-
stances, would have considered
self-preservation the first and only
law. But these humble religious
had no thought of self; their first
concern was for others. They had
consecrated their lives to the serv
ice Of Gods helpless ones and
when the supreme test came they
were not found wanting.
"Greater love than this hath no
man. They thought not of the
applause which their heroism
would command even from those
who have little reverence for the
religious state. Their sole desire
was to save the lives Of those
whom Christian charity had made
their own, even if the attempt
meant death in the midst of the
devouring flames. The supreme
worth Of their sacrifice was en-
HANGED by the fact that they laid
down their lives for the little ones
whom Christ loved and whom, fol-
lowing His example, they loved
with all the fervor Of consecrated
souls. They would be the first to
disparage any attempt to invest
their action with the halo Of hero
ism; and the sublimest character
istic of their self-sacrifice is found
in the fact that they were utterly
unconscious Of anything save de-
sire to do what they considered
their duty in view of the obliga-
lions which they had willingly
assumed in the religious life.
Il Such acts of heroism as theirs
cannot be denied the tribute of
our admiration. They are rare
only because, happily, the oc-
casions which call them forth are
not frequent. When they do oc.
cur they teach us that the days OF
the martyrs have not passed away
forever, and that religion is still
capable Of evoking the most
noble self-sacrifce on the part OF
those who are animated with the
true spirit of the Gospel. To the
acclaim of, the world, let us ado
the tribute Of our prayers for these
heroic nuns who, in the hour Of
their supreme test, showed forti
tude not unworthy of the best
traditions Of Christianity.
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