The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-11-24

And she had such q fund Of them!
But Benny always liked stories about
The martyrs best. Doubtless his own
sufferings and the invincible patience
with which he bore them were the
links that bound him to those noble
champions of Christ.
please, Sister, yes! And Sister
who was Blessed Theophane? Was he
a martyr too?'
Eyes, Benny, Blessed Theophane
Venard was martyred away off in
Tong King. If you listen, l will tell
you all about him." Then in simple
words she told him the story of
Blessed Theophane- he lived and
suffered for the~love of his Heavenly
Master, and how those for whom he
loved and labored inflicted on him q
cruel DEATH
The child's blue eyes were filed
with tears when the Sister finished
her story. 20 Sister, if could only
do something for God like that" The
weak voice quivered. "Just to be able
to bring poor souls to God! But
shall never be able to do anything
except lie in bed and give you lots
of trouble" The regretful expression
now returned.
Don't, Benny, you mustn't speak
like that. You can do something for
God and bring just as many souls to
Him as Blessed Theophane did,
Benny looked bewildered.
"Offer Him all your present and
future sufferings as you have those
of the past, and when your back is
hurting most, just say: Dear Jesus,
you know how l am suffering; but 1
offer it all to you for the conversion
of those poor souls in far off heather
lands. And please, dear Jesus, bring
them all to Heaven Then when you
come to die, Benny, God will take you
home and show you your rich har,
vest"
A radiant smile lit up the thin face.
Benny felt that he could sleep now.
Il won't keep you any longer, Sis
ter. Twas good of you to come, and
God and His dear Mother will thank
you Good night, SISTER,"
/ Good night, Benny, and may Gods
angels watch over you!" And Sister
Gertrude, raising the crucifix of her
rosary, pressed it for a moment to
the burning lips. Then, withdrawing
quietly, she passed out into the silent
corridor
20 Doctor, tell me please will he
die? Can't anything be done to save
his life?"
/ DR.. Craigin saw the anguish in Sis.
ter Gertrude's face and he pitied her.
He shook his head sadly.
| Nothing, Sister, God wants him
now"
| Benny stirred. The pale lips were
moving. Dear Jesus-You know
how / am suffering. But / offer-all
to You-for the conversion-of those
poor souls in heather lands. Please,
dear Jesus, bring them all to Heaven %
The little frame quivered, the eyes
} opened wide with intense agony, the
dews gathered on the sunken face,
but not a cry, not complaint escaped
the drawn lips. With an effort, Benny
picked up his little crucifix and kissed
it tenderly. Then his eyes rested on
those dear friends he loved so well,
: land who loved him in return Yes,
there was Father Boyle, his INSOFAR
able companion during all his suffer-
, ings, but where was the pleasant, win
ming smile that ever shone upon his
kind face? The doctor, too, seemed
sad And why was Sister Gertrude
crying-his own dear Sister Gertrude?
Oh, yes, he knew-he was dying! But
they mustn't feel so bad. And he tried
oh, so hard-to smile.
The little lips moved once more
I'm going soon!" The weak voice
faltered. up there!" He looked out
, of the window up at the blue sky
please don't feel bad, because I'm
going to be so happy" He started
violently. Look! There! See! Jesus
: and Mary-with them! Jesus is
are my-harvest! Dear Jesus-can
calling me. o Sister-He says-they
Sister Gertrude come-too? Sister
A slight tremor shook the emaciated
form. A sigh-a gasp-a long, long
breath, and then. The night had come
for the little harvester. His days toll
was ended. Benny was dead.
Tbo Ey.y3 A fo.