The Missionary's Story

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 36, 5 September 1907, Page 7

The Missionary's Story

There is perhaps no more interesting reading in the world of fiction (says the ' Missionary ') than the recital of the experiences of the missionary amongst a non-Catiholic people. No sooner do two or three of these missionaries get together than they begin to exchange stories. If some one could 'take these' stories down as told and reproduce them, the most sensational novel would not be more interesting. The following was told at a gathering recently ':—: — • - Rising at midnight, ■ a journey of a hundred and three miles by rail from Kn-v brought me to the little -town of Jn Cy at 'the gray dawn of, the morning. After hearing -the simple confessions of the few faithful "ones at this .place, I offered the Holy Mass for them 1 on the ' bureau ' altar at the little home, then mounted on an ' ambling palfrey,' and light-armored (sick-call case, stole, 1 breviary— a few, catechisirs), I started out, for word had come from a passing pedlar of a few Catholics, unknown and unnoticed, far back in the hills. After a ride of. ten miles the home of the first Catholic was "found. He was 'away from home and his wife was not a Catholic. I learned thajfc when ,a. regular day, monthly, was' appointed for Mass at Jn Cy, this man, an Irishman, walked the ten miles regularly, after fasting, though he was over 60 years. , Farther on at a cross-roads store the information was obtained that though they did not know the family next inquired for, but thought it might be some 20 miles away, yet ' knew an old fellow back a piece in . the hills, who said he was an ' " eye-talian " and one of your people.' By mountain' trail and forest path ' .this man was found. On the way to his house I turned aside up Boone's creek to have a glance at the famous ' Bear Tree ' of - Daniel Boone, on which is carved ' Dan'l Boone Killed, a Bar on this Tree 1779.' Reaching the two-roomed log house I tethered my - horse and knocked at the door. ' Yes, John'Reggio lives here ;*. come in ! ' On the trundle-bed lay an old mian of eighty. Roused from his nap, he replied,- ' Yes, I am John Reggio. Parlate Italiano ?si Signor ! Axe you a Catholic ? ' 'I am a Catholic priest.' The dark eyes lit up, the feeble fingers adjusted . the glasses, and, gazing searchingly at my face," he, said : ' You no deceive me ? You truly priest ? ' ' 'Yes,-' said I, ' I am. truly a Catholic priest. God has nodoubt guided me to you.'^ Without a word the old man clasped my arm and feebly drew me out of the house over to the little stable, and then sinking down by the manger on his knees said : ' Father ! our " Saviour was born in a stable ; I want to make my confession. For years I. have been preparing for confession and praying for the priest to come.' Tears unbidden welled forth from my eyes as I clasped the con- ' fessional stole about my neck, knelt and heard the simple, earnest confession of that lonely old man. Never before, no, not even at the Seat of Mercy, the confessional of the majestic Cathedral before our' taber- •■ nacled Lord Himself, had the worcls of the Risen' Redeemer, ' Receive ye the Holy Ghost, whose sins you shall forgive they are forgiven them,' seemed so potent. Rising after the absolution and drawing the priest to " the door to look again into my face, the penitent . with streaming 1 eyes said : ' Father, God is very good to me. For twelve long years I have prayed daily and said ray Rosary that He would* not let me die without a priest.' The two. hours I could spend with him were all too short for his overcharged heart. Even the old wife and her growh-uo nephew and niece, all non-Catholics, though they had never before 'seen a priest, "catching the good old' man's spirit, could' hardly see the missionary go. But there were other sheep waiting and I - promised to come acain in two weeks and say. Mass. The lights of the village were twinkling as /the missionary rode wearily in that night, having located exactly five Catholics, the sole representatives of the Church amid eight thousand souls, not a dozen of whoir. had ever seen a Catholic priest.