A young French seminarian, urged by a relative, abandoned his vocation. His parents and teachers did everything possible to open his eyes and persuade him to remain faithful to his calling. He stubbornly refused and went to the capital, where he obtained an excellent position and earned a good income.
Unfortunately, his bad companions led him into a life of vice. Of all his religious practices, he kept only the prayer of the “Remember” (Memorare), which he recited every night in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
After several years, he lost his position and fell into the deepest misery. Since he no longer relied on the help of religion, he gave himself over to despair and decided to end his life.
He was already going to throw himself into the river to drown when, by a special inspiration, he wished first to pray his “Remember” to Our Lady.
He knelt down and prayed.
When he rose, a strange terror suddenly seized him. It seemed to him that he saw an abyss opened before his eyes, filled with consuming fire. In his mind, troubled by remorse, memories of his childhood began to awaken.
He realized that only one step separated him from hell.
Terrified, he fled through the streets of Paris, not knowing where he was going.
By chance?
No.
Our Lady was guiding his steps toward a church, which he entered as if drawn by an invisible force.
A great crowd of faithful were praying silently before an image of Mary adorned with lights and flowers.
Little by little, the unhappy man felt his confidence returning.
He saw a priest entering the confessional and went to kneel at his feet.
It was the Venerable Father Desgenettes, pastor of the church of Our Lady of Victories.
However, the young man had no intention of making his confession. He only wished to open his heart, to unburden himself, and to tell the story of his life and his errors.
The priest received him with the kindness and gentleness of a mother. When he had finished telling his story, the priest said:
— My son, I wish to complete your story. A few months ago, a bishop was preaching in this church and recommended to the prayers of the faithful a young man whom he loved greatly and who was lost somewhere in this capital city.
The sinner, overcome with tears and sobs, hid his face in his hands.
The pastor heard his confession, prepared him for a fervent Holy Communion, and restored peace to his soul.
The young man then repaired the scandals he had caused, asking forgiveness from his parents, his former teachers, and the kind bishop.
Finally, he entered a religious Order, where he lived a life of severe penance and holiness.
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