LEO XIII. AND THE CURATE.

Kumara Times, Issue 562, 16 July 1878, Page 2

LEO XIII. AND THE CURATE.

The following anecdote is told of Leo XIII. when he was bishop of Perugia. He Was informed that one of the cures in his diocese was so enthusiastic a sportsman as to neglect his parochial duties for the sake of shooting. Unwilling to believe so grave a charge oh mere hearsay, the ' bishop ordered his carriage very early one Sunday morning, and drove into the village where the alleged Nimrod had the cure of souls. He found the villagers all assembled before the church, and when he enquired why they did not enter, he w«s told that they were waiting for the curato, who had gone out shooting. The bishop immediately attired himself in his robes and celebrated mas*, and, as the enrato had not returned, Pecci left his card at his house and drove off. Of course, the next morning the poor man appeared at Perugia, clothed in sackcloth and ashes. The Bishop said, "I ought to reprove you severely, and possibly suspend you altogether; but I will be satisfied if you will take a. solemn oath to do what I ask." Of' course, the tenified curato said he was ready to swear anything. " Very well," said the Bishop ; " then give me your sacred promise that next ' time "you want to go out shooting on a Sunday or holiday, you will let me know the day bef>re, so that I may take your place in church, and that your parishioners may not be deprived.of their Sunday service."