The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-05-10

haps; but 1t may not be. You do
not understand, my dear, as I told
you before. You can not understand
that / must finish my prayers in
church
The girl turned quickly.
Madame, +"
II know what you would say, but
it is in fulfilment of VOW made years
ago." came in low tones to which
feebleness added solemnity. And
then silence fell in the little room.
1t was years since she had men,
toned her vow to any one, and then
it was to an old priest who had long
since died; but now the kindness of
this young stranger and her own
weakness-yes that was it, her weak
ness-had made her talk of personal
affairs. Well, she would say no more
on that subject And yet silence now
might imply that she was annoyed by
the girls advice to remain at home;
and then, somehow, today she craved
sympathy; and, in addition to these
reasons, she painfully realized that
she was not well, and that she might
have to ask for help to get back to
the church. So she decided that it
would be best, after all, to explain
her apparent obstinacy.
''It is an old, old story" she began,
written deep on many a mothers
soul. I had son. He was wild
lad, but he had a good, true heart;
and on the morning that he went to
sea (for could not keep him) placed
him under the protection of Our Lady
of Perpetual Help, and asked her to
bring him back safe to me. / had
faith then that my prayer was heard,
and that it would be answered. but
God willed otherwise And the
voice broke. Quickly recovering her
self, however, she continued:
when his ship returned, went to
meet him, only to learn instead that
he had not sailed, but would wait for
a later boat; and then, after many
weeks Of endless days, the terrible
word came that his ship was lost at
sea. My husband had died and
was alone,-alone and ill. l would
have gladly given up the struggle; but
after long, long days l recovered.
Having paid my indebtedness-and a
long illness costs much, my DEAR
l sold my home, with it's furniture and
pictures and books, and came here to
this little place by the sea; for the
sea haunts me. l can not leave it. 1t
holds all in holding my son.
chose this house because from its
windows 1 can see the great, wide
stretches of the cruel waters. And
then, in the little church here, again
saw the picture of Our Lady of Per
petual Help; and, although my prayer
has not been answered when 1 sought
her aid before, / wanted to hope that
she would hear me now; for it is
something to have even strong hope
to hold ones life by, since without
some kind of anchor many of us would
drift to desolate places. I had tried
at times to believe that, as test OF
faith, the answer had only been de-
layed; but as l knelt there that first
day in the little chapel by the sea
the thought came to me that perhaps
our Blessed Mother had answered BY
bringing him to God instead of to me
And even in my sorrow could thank
her if such were the case; for sailors
are careless, and not all who went
down with him may have been pre-
pared to go.
"And so at last a great peace flood
ed my soul: learned to accept Gods
will, and to place-not the life now
just the memory of my son in Oul
Lady's keeping. If, in answer to my
first petition, she could not bring hin
back, then 1 asked that 1 might, al
least, know what manner of prepare
ton had his soul before it's departure
And them was almost afraid of the
promise was about to make, bu
the love for my boy was strong with
in mel vowed that a votive LAM
would perpetually burn in her honor
before the picture; that would make
a daily visit to the church here, whose
walls hold the tang of the sea; ant
that I would recite special prayers
at the picture shrine until I shoulC
hear something of my son,-heal
either of him or of his soul. The
little votive boatlight near the picture
is mine and his. 1t was many, many
years ago. Infirmities seek out thu
old and cling to them; but even when
) to help out my slender income, havt
done work to which I was all unused
and have become exhausted and i'll
still have kept my vow. Not unit
today has bodily infirmity interfereC
with my prayers; and now what an
to do if my strength fails me?"
Overcome with emotion and fears
she sank back leaning her heaC
against the pillow, which was no
whittier than the pain-stricken face tina
rested upon it.
But" responded the girl, in low
even tones, "assuredly you meant tt
keep the conditions of your vow onl.
( if your physical strength permitted
If you are unable to walk, and cal
not ride, how can the promise b.
: kept? God is not so exacting in de
: mands, nor is His Blessed Mother
and besides, if you feel bound, yo1
: could be released"
J, A smile of hopelessness crossed tn
Y pale face
: "You do not understand / mus
:, either keep my word or give up hope
and the life would, indeed be hard.