JEW’S REMARKABLE CONVERSION.

New Zealand Tablet, 12 June 1919, Page 22

JEW’S REMARKABLE CONVERSION.

Following, upon the remarkable conversion of a young Jew named Jacques Walsh, of Lyons, a league of devout Israelites, composed of French, English, and American Jewish converts, and indeed of converts of the entire world, is to be formed, which will unite in prayer, charity, and every- holy cause touching the glory of God and the salvation of souls (says the London Catholic Time ->>•). The pioneers of this league are no other than Jacques Walsh himself, his mother (a converted Jewess), his sisters, and others who have expressed a wish to join. The movement is in reality an act of gratitude for the conversion of Jacques Walsh, the story of which is related by his own mother. Briefly told, he was lying at the point of death in a. military hospital at Dijon, when he v asked to be allowed to drink some Lourdes water and have some rubbed on bis forehead. Contrary to the expectation of all, even of the doctor, -he changed the next day for the belter and asked for the grace of Baptism, at the hands of the Dominican Father in attendance. The consent of the young man’s father had to be obtained, and he flew into a violent rage, refusing to allow the •Baptism of his son. At length, persuaded by the mother and son, the father turned to leave the room,

weeping like a child, and said:—“l shall leave you for a quarter of an hour ; do what you like in my absence.” No time was lost. The Dominican Father hastily asked the dying soldier a few questions ' concerning the doctrines of the Church. . Four nuns, two priests, and his mother were at the. foot ■of the bed while he was being baptised. Forty other cases in the same ward were witnesses of the event. An operation then -became;necessary,,which the converted Jew passed safely through. On seeing what had taken place, his father remarked :—-“It is a miracle such as God worked for our ancestors in Palestine.gniao

i (The Dominican Father, addressing tthe young Jew, how healed in, body and soul, said :-“God wants something of you 7 my son ; tills miracle is ' too great,' too Evident, for it to ü be .possible that you alone should benefit from it. p When God bestows so great a grace upon one of His creatures, He expects a great return. Listen to the : Gospel of, the day, ‘This man went his way and proclaimed to the Jews that Jesus Christ had healed him.’ God will achieve His end because He always completes a work that He has begun, unless we put an obstacle in His way.” : , ' The intention most cherished by the first converts of this League of Israelites is to organise a pilgrimage • to Jerusalem which shall include visits to Paray-le-Monial, Lourdes, and Rome. There is, of course, already in existence a Guild of. Israel, of which the Very Rev. Bede Jarrett, 0.P., is chairman.