DO YOU LOVE YOUR MOTHER?

Corporal Pierre Pitois was a remarkably brave soldier. It was he who asked Napoleon this question.

Pierre was always in the front line of battle. He feared no enemy bullets and fought heroically at the Battle of Wagram on July 6, 1809. After the battle, however, he disappeared. He had deserted the army.

Soon afterward he was captured and sentenced to death.

"One of our bravest soldiers—why did you do such a thing?" his comrades asked.

"I do not regret it," he replied. "I did no wrong."

At midnight, on the eve of the execution, an officer entered Pierre's cell. It was Napoleon, though the prisoner did not recognize him.

Taking him by the hand, the Emperor said kindly:

"My friend, as a military officer I have always admired your courage in battle. I have come to ask whether you would like to leave any message or keepsake for your family. I will see that it reaches them after your death."

"None."

"Would you not like to send a farewell to your father, your brothers, or your sisters?"

"My father is dead. I have neither brothers nor sisters."

"And your mother?"

"Oh, please do not mention her. Whenever I hear her name, I feel like weeping, and a soldier should not cry."

"Why not?" Napoleon answered. "I would never be ashamed to weep when thinking of my own mother."

"Then, Sir, you truly love your mother? Let me tell you everything.

Of all that exists in this world, nothing have I loved more than my mother. When I left for the army, she blessed me and said, 'If you love me, do your duty.'

During every battle, amid the bullets, I remembered those words. I knew no fear.

One day I learned that she was gravely ill. I asked permission to embrace her one last time, but they would not let me go.

Later I received word that she had died. I begged permission to see her even in death. Again, my request was refused.

I could bear it no longer. I had to place at least one flower upon her grave.

I went, I wept, and I gathered this little forget-me-not flower, which I have carried over my heart ever since.

Tomorrow I shall die, but death does not frighten me."

Deeply moved, Napoleon spoke a few words of comfort and departed.

The following day Pierre was led to the place of execution.

Just as the firing squad prepared to shoot, the Emperor arrived on horseback, granted him a pardon, spared his life, and promoted him to the rank of officer.

And you—do you love your Mother in Heaven?

Surely you will answer as Saint Stanislaus did:

"How could I not love her, since she is my Mother?"

And she says to you:

"Fulfill your duty, and I shall obtain for you the grace of perseverance and final perseverance."