IN A REVOLUTIONARY TRIBUNAL

During the French Revolution of 1793, the Church of Saint Peter of Besançon was handed over to a schismatic priest. Catholic priests, however, faithful to the laws of the Church, were imprisoned and executed by the revolutionaries.

One of these priests, named John, remained among his parishioners, ready to suffer everything for God and for the Church. He walked in disguise: wide boots, a carter’s blouse, a large scarf around his neck, and a whip in hand. He went through the streets visiting the homes of his faithful. Hanging from his belt was a small box containing what was necessary to administer the sacraments, as well as a silver pyx in which he kept the Blessed Sacrament.

Many months passed without the police suspecting that a priest was hidden beneath that carter’s attire, carrying out his ministry. At last, one day, he was discovered and immediately brought before the revolutionary tribunal.

— Citizen, who are you?

— I am Father John, minister of Jesus Christ.

— Does not the law forbid you to exercise your ministry?

— Yes; but God commands me to do so.

— It seems you carry foreign correspondence in that box.

— No, I have never done such a thing.

— Then what do you carry in that box?

Fearing profanation and thinking those men would not understand his answer, he said:

— They are hosts.

— Are they consecrated? asked the president.

— Yes, they are.

Then something unheard of occurred in such tribunals. The president, who undoubtedly had received religious instruction in childhood and had learned in catechism the dogma of the Real Presence, cried out in an authoritative voice:

— Citizens, they are consecrated: everyone kneel!

He further ordered the guards to accompany Father John to the church of the schismatic priest to return the Blessed Sacrament.

The following day, after a summary judgment, they ordered him to be beheaded for violating the existing laws.