that moment my sight strengthened, and I never again feared its loss." Sister Marie continued to write till the end of her life, which happened in 1877.

Venerable Père Eymard frequently made use of the oil from the sanctuary lamp before the Most Blessed Sacrament to effect cures. "Remember," he used to say, "that this little lamp has never failed to cure those that have been anointed with its oil."

Brother Charles Richerd, who discharged in the House of Paris the duty of porter, for many long

years, says:

"Very often I saw Père Eymard blessing the oil ot the Blessed Sacrament, and by it he obtained numerous cures. His chapel of Saint-Jacques he used to call the chapel of miracles, on account of the multiplied cures and conversions he there effected."

In 1865, Père Eymard's own sister fell dangerously ill, but she did not notify her brother. Père Eymard soon arrived however, and thus addressed her: "My dear sister, I have come to see you, for Saint Michael gave me to understand that you are ill."

During this illness of his sister, he visited Our Lady of Laus in company with Mme. Gras, to whom he related the following incidents:

He

First, he told her that he had been beaten. said: "It was not human beings who beat me. The blows fell thick as hail."

"Then it was the devil?" she said.

"Ah! surely!" he replied.

Secondly, he told Mme. Gras that one day, having not a sou left, he went to the chapel and said to the Blessed Virgin: "But we can not die of hunger!" And he heard a voice, saying to him: "Do not worry

yourself, go to your work," and he found in his pocket a number of gold pieces. "I was very sure however," he said, "that I had none before."

When at Laus, Père Eymard asked for some oil and, returning to his sister, who was still very ill, he knelt down at the foot of the bed, saying: "Sister, we are going to begin a Novena," Then he anointed her stomach with the oil, for up to that time her vomiting and perspiration were incessant, and making the Sign of the Cross, he said: "Sœur Benoîte of Laus, intercede with the Blessed Virgin for me.”

"That same evening," says his sister, "the floods of perspiration and the vomiting ceased entirely." From that moment she grew better and better. The following year, the Servant of God made another pilgrimage to Laus in thanksgiving.

A

XVII

HIS RENOWN FOR SANCTITY DURING LIFE.

T every period of life, from childhood to the time of his premature death, Père Eymard was spoken of as a saint by all who had any relations with him. The reputation for sanctity clung to him, nor could he escape from it. His childhood companions, his fellow-students at the seminary, his confrères in the parochial ministry and in the Religious life, and lastly, the Faithful-all venerated him as a saint. At Chatte, at Monteynard, at Belley, at Lyons, in the Third Order of Mary, at La Seyne, at Paris where he laid the foundation of his Congregations,—everywhere he spread the "bonus odor Christi-the good odor of Christ."

In childhood he combined all the virtues which, at a later period, were to cause him to be regarded as a saint. He was very good, very submissive to his parents, very gentle toward every one. Mothers used to hold him up as a model for their children. "Why," they would say, "why are you not like little Julien ?"

His precocious qualities permitted him even then to exercise a certain ascendency among his companions, which became a real apostolate. They were all filled with "veneration" for him, according to the expression of the former friends of his childhood. Even his general bearing gave edification. At school he was exemplary, very gay, very candid, charitable, and of extraordinary simplicity. Even in the Grand Séminaire he was absolutely ignorant of evil.

One of the contemporaries of Père Eymard at La Mure, Mlle. Condrant, who made her First Communion with him, testifies to his great fervor at that period. The Abbé Second, Curé of La Mure, did not spare himself when preparing his children for First Communion. Referring to the occasion mentioned above, he remarked: "More than once little Julien shed tears in abundance on hearing my instructions and exhorted his young companions to do the same. But they replied that they could not weep as he did."

We have already spoken of his first aspirations toward the Holy Eucharist, of his desires for the priesthood, his exceptional piety, his charity toward the poor, and of his sister's veneration for him-indications which led one to foretell what he would one day be if he remained faithful to those happy presages.

The gentle and modest child could still be seen in him in his early manhood, nor were his virtues less conspicuous for a single instant. All the time remaining to him after his prescribed duties was given to study. Sometimes, knowing the opposition of his parents, his young companions rallied him with "You want to be a priest" (for he always expressed his desire for it) "and you have not yet begun Latin." The boy kept silence, counting on the good God, who knows so well how to supply all that is needful for us.

Although bantering the boy, his young friends were sincerely regretful that his studies could not be commenced, and several among them also expressed the same desire for the priesthood. But the others, like little judges and prophets, pointing to Julien would reply: "Yes, he will. But you others. Such was the appreciation of children of his own age. His

modesty was never impaired. He was calm, humble, and retiring. During the vacations, which he spent at La Mure, his presence alone commanded respect. "When he was with us," remarked one of his old companions, "he made no disturbance, but we were no longer the same, we had to restrain ourselves. His presence commanded it."

"At the Grand Séminaire," we are told, "he was pious, gay, a good adviser, a good scholar, and a true apostle."

The reputation for sanctity which surrounded the Servant of God during his seminary life at Grenoble followed him to Chatte, of which he was named Vicar some months after his ordination to the priesthood.

Mlle. Sophie Ferrouil, who was a scholar in the Convent of Providence, at Chatte, at the time when the Abbé Eymard was Vicar, said of him: "The Vicar of Chatte had just begun his career in the ministry, and already he was looked upon as a saint. His sermons were very enthusiastically attended. Attracted by his great reputation, a Protestant lady lost not one of his Lenten discourses. I can still recall his angular face so full of goodness, simplicity, and holiness. It is engraven on my memory. I feel sure that some day the Holy Church will permit us to honor him on her altars."

At Monteynard he spent a great part of his day in the church. He gave everything to the poor. To save a half-crown, his sisters had to hide it.

Even the

soutane he wore was not his own, but a borrowed one. His only dream at the time was to go on the Foreign Missions, if his health had permitted, or to become a Religious in a Society consecrated to Mary, for whom he always had an angelic devotion."