The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-05-05

man sitting in a back pew and who
had noticed this devout little girl
among the crowd of worshipers, arose
n followed her outside.
Mary had noticed that he did not
genuf1ect and this fact panied her low
ing little heart. He smiled at her
bright face and treasured she spoke:
You didn't genuflect-I guess you for
got?" She looked up at him question
ingly.
20, you see I'm not one of your
people-not a Catholic, l mean" He
was quite boyish and very pleasant
looking.
"O-oh," Mary said gravely. 'Tm
aWfully sorry you are not" She was
silent for a minute. Then she looked
up at the young man again.
"You don't believe then-you don't
know that our Lord is there on the
altar" He shook his head slowly and
smiled again.
20, isn't it too bad!" Mary spoke
again. But I'll have to be going
home now"
May l walk along a little ways?"
said the boy, I'D like to ask some
questions?"
"Why, yes-and maybe | can an
swer them and teach you some things
you ought to know" the child answer
ed brightly, and the two started off.
Roy Lester was surprised at. the
depth of knowledge Mary possessed
regarding her religion. Eagerly she
explained the doctrine of the Eucha-
rist and the boy was charmed and
edited as she talked.
Roy Lester was the third son of a
very wealthy family. His father was
a minister, an earnest thoughtful man
from whom the boy seemed to have
inherited his religious character and
serious minded ways.
He often thought that he would
like to follow his fathers vocation,
but somehow the religion that he had
been taught seemed empty and ter
ribly lacking in some way. He was
a good boy and earnestly desired to
lead a useful life that would benefit
his fellow men. So
Today when he was out walking he
happened to approach a Catholic
church and seeing people going in he
thought he would follow them. He
had never been in a church of this
kind before and as he looked at the
altar and the devout crowds of people
| ,oro ~ -, ~ h. -,~c
although he did not know what it
meant.
AS he looked at little Mary kneel.
ing at the altar rail with her eyes
fixed on the monstrance he thought
of the words: Suffer little children
to come unto Me-" Here was one
who had been brought to know the
Friend of the children, Roy said to
himself. Still he did not associate
the white Host before him with the
One Who had uttered those appealing
words.
How wonderful and beautiful it all
~seemed-the doctrine of the real
Presence, he thought as he listened
to the little maid at his side. Never
before had he heard it explained.
How he wished he could have her
simple unquestioning faith.
Suddenly Mary exclaimed, "Why
there comes Father Moore!' A
pleasant faced priest drew near and
spoke kindly to the little girl. He
glanced inquiringly at the young mar
who raised his hat politely.
20 Father, I want you to talk to
this nice boy and tell him lots OF
things that you a tell better than
I can, you know. Ask him to go and
see you Father,-you will, won't
you?" She looked up at Roy.
Father Moore shook his hand
warmly and said: MARY is a reaI
little missionary, isn't she? Now by
all means come and see me if yor
feel so inclined, my friend"
i Mary had now run off toward home
Roy told the good priest his name
and after chatting for a few moments
they parted, the boy promising thai
he would o call on Father Moore
And he did and found peace coming
into his soul at last.
Often now he visited the church
and not infrequently met Mary as he
left or entered and they Always ha6
a chat together. One day she stepped
in on her way from school and saw
Roy kneeling before the altar rail
Then he arose and when she saw him
genuflect reverently, her joy knew nc
bounds. She followed him out into
the vestibule.
% Mr.. Roy'-he had told her his
~name-"you do believe what | said
Her eyes shone as she looked up a.
him.
Yes, little one," he said softly, g
know without a doubt that He il
there"
Years passed by and one day a new
assistant priest came to the church
where Mary went to Mass. Our lit
tie friend was then a sweet. young
woman holding a good position in al
attorneys Office. Besides she was {
power for good in her parish, devout
and edifying to all who knew her.
Mary's heart gave a bound of JOY
when she saw the new brieSt' come