“Yes, I do believe it.”
“And why do you believe it?”
“Holy Father, because every one comes into the world with a mission written in his nature. Had I never had this vision, or received other extraordinary signs, my nature, which is eminently religious, would still have made religious action incumbent upon me. How can I say it? But I will say it”—here Benedetto’s voice trembled with emotion—“as I have said it to no one else, I believe, I know that God is the Father of us all; but I feel His paternity in my nature. Mine is hardly a sense of duty, it is a sense of sonship.”
“And do you believe it is your duty to exercise the religious action here and now?”
Benedetto clasped his hands, as if already imploring attention.
“Yes,” said he, “here also, and now.”
When he had spoken he fell upon his knees, his hands still clasped.
“Rise,” said the Holy Father. “Utter freely what the Spirit shall dictate.”
Benedetto did not rise.
“Forgive me,” he said, “my message is to the Pontiff alone, and here I am not heard by the Pontiff only.”