Listening to St Michael...

In the course of a conference during the holidays, he was speaking about those who imagine they have obeyed after getting their superior round to their way of thinking.

It is only all too often that in the secular society and even in religious life there are priests who say to their Superior: “I can’t stay there; that post is not for me; put me in another place or I shall take my own decision.”

I know what I am talking about! As a matter of fact have I not had the same feelings; did I not sometimes think of leaving everything frightened as I was by the accounts I shall have to render to God? It is then that the thought of Ibarre, my native village, would cross my mind.

Your poor old father is still there; how happy he would be to be looked after by me in his last days; the Mass stipends would be enough to live on; and if the worst came to the worst I can still dig the ground; the Assistant would be pleased to see me and I would see that lovely little church again.  I imagine I can see it there on the hill with the Bidouze flowing by; I could even beg to raise money to embellish it. It is true I wouldn’t have the cabriolet but I wouldn’t need one in that part of the country.

There are the thoughts which come to my mind but I haven’t time to think of them; in any case I look on them as temptations. However if it was God’s Will I would render my accounts right now and would make off for these charming places when I spent so many years in innocence!