‘Legends of the Blessed Virgin’ by J. Collin de Plancy; 1852; Chapter 5 – ‘The Poor Priest’; ~ ‘Mater …
[Collin de Plancy – XVIII-XIX Century AD; Demonologist – Converted to the Catholic Faith]
“Chapter 5 ~ ‘The Poor Priest’ ~ ‘Mother of Christ’
THIS is no embellished legend, but a simple anecdote of unquestionable veracity ; and it claims a page in this collection, although doubtless known to many of our readers.
Its subject is a prayer—the Memorare—dear to every Catholic heart, from the pen of that great servant of Mary, St. Bernard. In the days of Louis XIII., a courtier, freeing himself from the busy life of the world, its follies and its pleasures, had the happiness, moved by God's grace, to embrace the solid, pure, and calm life of the service of God. He was of a noble family, and he quitted the splendours of wealth to live in the straits of poverty. At the commencement of his new career, a great temptation surprised him, in the shape of one of those enticements which the world so alluringly throws out to entrap those it is on the point of losing ; instead of vainly braving the danger …More
"Willingly will I profit by your Eminence's /Cardinal Richelieu/ goodness," replied the priest : " may I beg of your Grace to order new planks to be placed in the cart in which the prisoners are conducted to the place of execution, so that their attention may not be distracted from the love of God, and pre paring to meet Him, by the fear of falling through the cart… "
"The prisoner remained like a rock in his state of impassible taciturnity.
" Well, I will recite it alone," said the priest, kneeling by the side of the prisoner : " do you merely unite your intention with mine, and if you suffer too much to speak, you will participate in my prayer by answering, Amen."
He took one of his little prayers out of his breviary. He recited it aloud; and when he had finished, waited an instant to see whether the prisoner's heart had relented ; but he only saw an impatient movement, and heard a brutal exclamation. Wrung with grief, the priest listened only to his zeal. He raised his trembling hand, and placing the holy prayer on the criminal's lips, tried to force it into his mouth, saying, " Since you will not recite it, you shall swallow it."