The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-12-30
HOW CHOPIN WAS WON BACK
INTO TRUE FOLD.


world of music learns these days how
Chopin died, through permission given
by her to publish letter written by
the priest who fought for the great
masters soul and won the prize. This
letter, written by Father Alexander
IelOwicki, c. r., is dated Paris, Octo-
Der II, 1S49," and it has been since the
date of its inception in the family of
this lady. The account of the Resur-
rectionist Father follows:
Madame: | am still under the i'm
preston caused by the death of
Chopin, and cannot write of anything
else. He died October II at a. m.
His organism burned always more
weakly under the flame of his genius.
All marveled that the soul could still
occupy body SO wasted, that his mind
lost none of it's vigor and that the
living greatness of his heart had not
grown less. The face of Chopin was
cold, white, transparent almost like
alabaster; his eyes, always yelled,
sometimes burned with the fire with
in. Always sweet, gentle and bril-
liantly gay, sensible to change, he fire.
quently appeared to belong no longer
to this earth. But, nevertheless, he
gave no thought to the future life. He
had few good friends, and many bad,
incredulous ones. Especially in these
latter years of his life he had the
latter in the majority as his Worship
pers. The triumphs of his artistic life,
his wonderful art impeded him from
hearing in his heart of hearts the
weeping voice of the Holy Ghost. The
faith which his mother had planted in
his mind was for him nothing more
than sweet memory of his infancy,
and the unbelief of his companions,
male and female, of his latter years,
sank deeper and deeper into his soul.
And the delusion with its terrible tai
ons tortured his Spirit
Thanks to his good education, he
never derided holy things. But that
was not enough. In this deplorable
state of soul the fatal chest trouble
municated to me on my return from
Rome. l Immediately hurried to this
friend of mine whom | had known
from his infancy, and whose soul was
very dear to me. We met affection
ately and our tears mingled. But
Chopin did not weep for his lot, but
for the death and martyrdom of my
brother Edward, to whom he was very
much attached. | profted by this mo-
ment to remind him of his mother and
of his faith.
"'You will understand he said, I
should not like to die without the sac
raments, because it might seem to
sully the memory of my mother. But
how am to go to confession, since
no longer believe as you do? You under
stand, perhaps, the comfort of an init
mate confession to a friend, to you,
for instance. But sacramento con-
fession| don't understand it any
longer. If you wish l will confess to
you in friendly manner; otherwise
not at all.
''Those words of his struck hard at
my heart. Tears we're in my eyes.
pitied the state Of this soul, and did
my best to tranquilize it. | spoke to
him of the Blessed Virgin, of Jesus
and His mercy. Nothing availed. Then
promised to bring to him any con-
lessor he might wish for. But no
good. Finally, he said: If ever ]
make my confession, it will be to you
only
he In If
without any result. prayed and
hoped his soul might be saved. All
the Resurrectionist Fathers prayed for
the same intention, especially during
their retreat. On the evening of Octo-
Der IL his doctor summoned me, say
ing he could not vouch the great mas
ter should pass the night. Trembling
approached the door of Chopin's
room, but l found it closed for the
first time against me. But after a
few minutes Chopin allowed me to en-
ter only to shake my hand and say:
81 have deep affection for you, but
don't speak to me of anything. Go
and sleep.
Imagine what terrible night |
passed! The next day was the feast
of st. Edward, patron of my dead
brother. And during Holy Mass
prayed God of Mercy, if the soul of
my brother is dear to you, give me
that of friedrich!
After MassI went to Chopin's room
and found him taking breakfast.
said to him: Dearest friend, this is
Edwards name day. Give me a gift
for him.
Speak on. then. because shall re-
fuse you nothing
9 Give me your SOUL said.
AT this Chopin responded, / under
stand you. Here, take it. and he rose
to sitting position on the bed. An
indescribable Joy filled me. What
should do to take his choice soul2
Falling on my knees, put Crucifix
in Chopin's hands.
Chopin seized the Crucifx, tears
rolling down his cheeks.
DO you believer asked him.
Yes, / believe, Do you believe as
your mother taught you?' Yes. was
the responses e
ssThan ne made his confngsiDn in