A SINNER IS CONVERTED

Saint Bridget says: “Just as a magnet attracts iron, so too does the Most Holy Mary draw hearts to God.” This is a fact.

One day, Saint Francis Regis was summoned to visit a sick man who absolutely refused to prepare himself for death. The unfortunate man would not accept the help of religion, even though he knew that his end was near.

Convinced that human efforts were useless, Saint Francis took an image of Our Lady from his breviary and, showing it to the sick man, said:

— Look! Mary loves you.

— What?! — replied the sinner, as though awakening from a dream. — Then she does not know me?

— But I know that she loves you! — the saint insisted.

— Then does she not know that I have renounced my faith and despised my religion?

— She knows.

— That I have insulted her Son and trampled His Blood underfoot?

— She knows.

— That these hands are stained with innocent blood?

— She knows.

— Father, are you telling me the truth?

— Yes. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the word of God will not pass away. Know, then, that God once said, and still says to you today: “Son, behold your Mother!”

— A mother who loves me!... — murmured the sinner, deeply moved. — My mother, my...

And abundant tears welled up in his eyes. They were tears of sincere repentance, of genuine sorrow for his sins.

He immediately made a heartfelt and contrite confession of his entire life. He received Holy Communion with evident fervor.

A few days later, happy and full of confidence, he breathed his last in the love of God, to whom Mary had drawn him.