The Broken Crucifix

New Zealand Tablet, 17 September 1908, Page 33

The Broken Crucifix

Preaching recently at the reception, of candidates into the Order of the Poor Clares Collettines, at St. Clare's Abbey, Carlow Graigue, Ireland, Father Paul, 0.5. F.C., after dwelling upon the triumphs of the Cross among savage peoples, said it was not necessary to go into uncivilised parts nor centuries back to find miracles of God's tender mercies . . ' Who, he asked, in recent times has not heard of that advanced leader of the Socialist party in France, M. Jaures, a more notorious enemy of the Church and of the crucifix than ever were the cannibals of Brazil. Well, only a few months ago an incident was going the rounds of the Parisian papers that brought-tears to many eyes and sent a thrill of joy to many hearts. One evening, when M. Jaures had returned from the Chamber of Deputies after a hard day's work, in which he had endeavored — and to his mind successfully endeavored—to kill the Church in France, he threw himself into an easy chair in his study and heaved a sigh of relief that the debate was over and that he had some time for repose. _^ Suddenly a gentle knock was heard at the" door; a graceful hand pushed aside the rich hangings, and there stood before him the tall, .slight and handsome form of his daughter. Leaning on a chair close by, she sweetly said ,' Father, you must be very tired ' Yes, 'he replied, 'lam. 1 ' Oh, then, I shquld not have come,' she continued." c Oh, don't say that ' he returned 'I am very .pleased 'to see you. What ** tl. ' father >' she timidly spoke, ' for a longtime I have been anxious to enter a convent and consecrate myself to God.' 'Oh, nonsense!' he ejaculated. What put that into your head? Have you spoken to your governess about it?' 'Ah, no,' saidshe, the governess has no religion, and she does not know anything about such matters.' ' Well,' he continued, • some one must have led you to this brink of the abyss, and I am anxious to kno W all about it.' « Father,' she went on, 'it was this way. About four years ago the governess and myself were out for a walk in the country W« strolled away on a lonely road till we came to where one of the wayside crosses had been pulled down and the crucifix broken to pieces. The governess and myself set about putting the pieces together as best we could, just as children build houses from little blocks boon we had every piece in its place, and the crucifix was complete. But, oh, from that day to this the look from the eyes of that broken crucifix has caused a harvest of ideas to spring up in my. soul that no one ever sowed there. . Its vision has ever haunted my mind and inspired me to make spme reparation for all this sacrilege. I have been held back, and mv heart torn at the thought of leaving you, but then the sorrows of Jesus crucified have been my strength and' consolation I have prayed Him to let me shire ffis hET^' , that I ma J IT? for you the li^t to know Him, that we may both live and love Him together.' . Her voice was "choked in her sobs ; she could say no more He, too, broke down; he shuddered •he ffone ' motioned her to leave jhe wished to be Oh, what a-mysterious incident ! How irresistible the voice of Jesus. from the cross. Well has the Scripture expressed it, 'The heart of man dispose* his way, but the Lord must direct his steps.' What She is gone from her honuf to weep by the crucifix