The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-01-11
WET WASH LAUNDRY

courage failed him. How could he
tell his great wish to a Prince of the
Church? The Cardinal looked into
the pleading dark eyes, and bent
down to the little lad, SO that he
might whisper his request.
rs it true that Your Eminence can
see the Pope and speak to him.
Quite true,' replied the Cardinal.
Please, will you ask him something
for me? Please ask him to pray that
when | am man God will let me be a
m ssionary.'
Now this great man not only loved
children dearly, but he had deep in
terest in the work of promoting voca-
tons, and we can imagine how
touched he was by the child's request.
For a minute he made no answer,
and the boy feared that he had been
too bold. Just then the Cardinal laid
his hand or the lads shoulder, and
said: Say it again, child. Tell me
what you want me to do
Il want to be a missionary. And
please, | want you to ask the Pope to
pray that God will let me be one
The very next morning the Car
dinal had an opportunity to present
the boys petition. The Pope was ST.
lent for moment, then:
Il should like to see this child my
SELF" he said. Can you bring him to
me after my Mass tomorrow morn
ipp9 In tho find o,t eo,,,o
thing more about him. I should like
to know about his family and what
prospects he has in the way of edu-
cation
But the Cardinal was already fully
informed, as he thought the Pope
would surely ask such a question
Your Holiness, the child is moth
erless and worse than fatherless," he
said, and he told of the fathers in
temperance and of his deserton of the
child, who was left on the charity of
a relative.
In that case" said the Pope, Il
will make myself responsible for his
education"
When the Cardinal presented the
child the Holy Father drew him to his
knee and questioned him gently,
asking him if it were true that he
wished to be missionary.
Yes, Holy Father the lad an
swered; and when the Pope told him
what hardships missionary suffers
and that he must be willing to sacr-
flee even life itself, the child replied:
Il want to be missionary
Pope and Cardinal exchanged
chances above the little head
Come with me-" said the Holy Fa-
Their, and he led the child across the
room to his own prieu dieu. Then
gently forcing the little one to his
knees, he made the sign of the cross
on his forehead, and prayed that God
would bless him and grant him his
desire
And when the dangers and perils
of your chosen life surround you"
spoke the gentle voice, may He be
with you to give you strength and
crown your sufferings."
The boys face was radiant, and the
holy men who looked down upon it
must have shared his joy.
This happened, we are told, only a
short time ago. The boy is studying
hard, fitting himself for his vocation
The Pope provides for him, and he
looks forward to the years when he
will begin the arduous, lonely life OF
missionary.
Other boys who read this story
may feel the yearning desire to serve
God in the holy priesthood, and
though they cannot have the privilege
of telling their hopes to the dear Holy
Father. our Lord will open the way
for them if they pray and are resolute
in purpose, as was the little to-be-mis-
sionary.
Popular government is not in itself
a DanaPpa IT iS no bnttar than auy