It was really most pleasant for me to see that every line of
that document, read by the bishop, was blotting out some of the
stern and unfriendly lines which were on his face, when speaking
to me. Nothing was more amiable than his manners, when he
handed it back to me, saying: "I thank God to see that you are
still as worthy of my esteem and confidence as when you entered
that monastery. But would you be kind enough to give me the
real reasons why you have so abruptly separated from the oblates?"
"Yes, my lord, I will give them to you: but your lordship
knows that there are things of such a delicate nature, that the lips
of man shiver and rebel when required to utter them. Such are
some of the deplorable things which I have to mention to your
lordship. I have put those reasons in these pages, which I respectfully
request your lordship to read," and I handed him the
Memoir, about thirty pages long, which I had prepared.
The bishop read, very carefully, five or six pages, and said:
"Are you positive as to the exactness of what you write here?"
"Yes, my lord! They are as true and real as I am here."
The bishop turned pale, and remained a few minutes silent
biting his lips, and after a deep sigh, said: "Is it your intention
to reveal those sad mysteries to the world, or can we hope that
you will keep that secret?"
"My lord," I answered, "if your lordship and the oblates
deal with me, as I hope they will do, as with an honorable
Catholic priest; if I am kept in the position which an honest
priest has a right to fill in the Church, I consider myself bound,
in conscience and honor, to keep those things secret. But, if
from any abuse, persecutions emanating from the oblates, or any
other party, I am obliged to give to the world the true reasons
of my leaving that monastic order, your lordship understands
that, in self-defence, I will be forced to make these revelations!"
"But the oblates cannot say a word, or do anything wrong
against you," promptly answered the bishop, "after the honorable
testimony they have given you."
"It is true, my lord, that I have no reason to fear anything
from the oblates!" I answered; "but those religious men are
not the only ones who might force me to defend myself. You
know another who has my future destinies in his hands. You
know that my future course will be shaped on his own toward me."
With amiable smile, the bishop answered:
"I understand you. But I pledge myself that you have
nothing to fear from that quarter. Though I frankly tell you
that I would have preferred seeing you work as a member of
that monastic institution, it may be that it is more according to
the will of God, that you should go among the people, as sent
by God, rather than by a superior, who might be your inferior
in the eyes of many, in that glorious temperance of which you
are evidently the blessed apostle in Canada. I am glad to tell
you that I have spoken of you to his holiness, and he requested
me to give you a precious medal, which bears his most perfect
features, with a splendid crucifix. His holiness has graciously
attached 300 days indulgences for every one who will take the
pledge of temperance in kissing the feet of that crucifix. Wait
a moment," added the bishop, "I will go and get them and
present them to you."
When the bishop returned, holding in his hands those two
infallible tokens of the kind sentiments of the Pope towards me,
I fell on my knees to receive them and press them both to my
lips with the utmost respect. My feelings of joy and gratitude,
in that happy hour, cannot be expressed. I remained mute, for
some time with surprise and admiration, when holding those
precious things which were coming to me, as I then sincerely
believed, from the very successor of Peter, and the true Vicar of
Christ himself. When handing me those sacred gifts, the
bishop addressed me the kindest words which a bishop can utter
to his priest, or a father to his beloved son. He granted me the
power to preach and hear confessions all over his diocese, and
he dismissed me only after having put his hand on my head and
asked God to pour upon me His most abundant benedictions
everywhere I should go to work in the holy cause of temperance
in Canada.
