We have borrowed two things from the present age—and those by no means the best of what it possesses—which do us a vast amount of injury. The first is, a profound weakness of character, which prefers a petty, vulgar, and rather sensual existence, disposing us to lead the life of a retired tradesman. The second is a tendency to officialism. We blame that tendency in others; but are we not somewhat bureaucratic ourselves? We consider those among us to be great men who are what is called good administrators. The accessory has usurped the place of principal. Administration is every thing: in certain localities it stifles the sacred ministry. If Saint Paul himself were to return to earth, he would hardly be deemed fit to be the curé of a canton, unless he was judged to be well versed in administration.
Yet when Christ placed Saint Peter at the head of His Church, he did not put the question to him:—"Canst thou administer well?" but, "Lovest thou Me? lovest thou Me? Art thou quite sure that thou lovest Me?"—that is, Dost thou know how to save the souls of men? how to devote thyself, how to die for their sakes?
This brings us back again to the subject of zeal. There are many earnest-minded priests in France—most admirable men in every respect. Among the laity also, there is no lack of zeal, devotion, and the spirit of self-sacrifice … A Christian who has no zeal is not tolerated: in fact, there is much more of it than is generally supposed.
Now, something like this frequently happens:—On going to a town which has hitherto exhibited no signs of zeal, you ask the priest:—"How comes it that you have no associations, no society of apprentices, of operatives, or of the Sainte Famille? What are you about? It is a shame!" … He will reply:—"How can I help it? I have no colleagues, and no laymen are available. Besides, our people do not like to be drawn out of their old habits: it is not with us as it is elsewhere." … You then make the same observations to the laymen, and they immediately answer:—"Pray, don't mention it, for it is not our fault. We should like nothing better; but we have no priests to take the lead, and to tell us how to act. Our priests are excellent men in their way, but they cannot step out of their routine."
It should be our endeavor, therefore, to bring priests and laymen together; then there will be a mutual understanding between them, and both will heartily coöperate in doing good.
For, at any cost, we must save souls. That is our duty, our joy, our crown, that whereon our whole future depends; and what is said of men of the world, who have made a false step in life, will be said of the priest who fails in that respect—he has lost his chance.
We should take advantage of every opportunity to benefit the souls of men; to enlighten, to reclaim, to reconcile them. A confirmation, for example, associated as it is with so many sweet and sad reminiscences, offers a most eligible occasion for such efforts. But beware of all vulgar vituperation of unbelievers, or of the parents. They are on the look-out for such tirades, and have already hardened their hearts and their faces against them. Rather aim at their hearts, where they least expect an attack, and where they are not prepared to resist you.
After stating that God will require a strict account of parents for the manner in which their children have been brought up, turn at once to the parents and say:—
"Do not be alarmed, for I am not going to reproach you. I would not disturb your present happiness. I would not detract one iota from your gratification. Enjoy it thoroughly, for you have a right to it; it is but a slender recompense for all your pains. Look at your children, they are happy, and they owe their happiness to religion. No, I cannot bring myself to utter any thing which might trouble you on this occasion; for it must have cost you pain enough already to see your children go alone to the holy table, absolutely like orphans, while you yourselves stand apart, and are driven to say:—'Yes, my child is worthy to be there, but I am not. … I say, such a reflection as this must have caused you intense sorrow.