For Don Orione, any place may be suitable for hearing confessions
On 9th April 1929, Don Orione went to Carmine Great Basilica (Naples). Going out from the Basilica, he realized that his money and his train pass were robbed, so he had to go to the then Ministry of Communication for a procedure.
There, he talked to an officer and preached him a short homily. The officer remained amazed of his words and said:
I have never heard such things, nobody has ever told me these things...
What can we do, Sir? - Don Orione said -: in the past, princes had preachers at home; this evening, Divine Providence has sent you a preacher to your office...
Don Orione was such a good preacher that by continuing to reason out with the ministry officer, this told him that he would willingly confess his sins:
Long time I have not done...
Just now! - Don Orione replied – because I am a bit like an errant Hebrew, maybe you could not meet anymore...
Then, the officer kneeled down …
"You see - Don Orione would conclude the story - as God allows evil to get something good? ... The Lord and Our Lady of Mount Carmine have allowed that I lost my train pass, or it was stolen, for giving me the opportunity to save a soul at the ministry! ... When there is spirit of faith! ... Let money go away, but let’s save souls! ...[1]
Let money go away, but let’s save souls!
ReplyDeleteGREAT!