-<,'fi:'/!^*^VJ-ifi1.v>iA1.W4\i^iS**.'»:-»5ir; jA-v^A^iifi^-^^yrM^m- Vi^'\:» vtW;^^ ■?/ "S" ^>^^ <<^i>?lA»^\^^W^^VVi^. V^^*^^V^ y^^ '\ ■ -^S' v^xit^i/^/ .:'>.'i«;ijA?^i^o:vo;.vv»^>v;'i;vv^ ^. /.c^- t'>.Mrl-.;<«nSJ5i»^sflB JxLJL>Uiii%X CHXJ^fNUT UliftL, MAS3. VEK LOUIS DE PONTE, 27 prepare himself with the greatest possible application, he made the Spiritual Exercises, fully resolved wholly to despoil himself of the old man, and put on the new. It was fortu- nate for him that Father Alvarez made his retreat precisely at the same time, having just been appointed to the provincialship of Toledo. In this blessed solitude Louis had no inter- course but with God and his holy director, who, in endeavouring to perfect him, disclosed the wonderful treasures which his loving Lord had bestowed on his own soul. The subjects most frequently discussed were the poverty, sufferings, and humiliations of Jesus Christ, the three inseparable companions of His holy life, and which must also be our companions, if we aim at resemblance with Him, in which all our happiness consists. Having concluded the exercises, Louis was resolved to do great things for God. He shed tears of tender affection on being separated from his beloved Father Alvarez, to whom he declared himself indebted for whatever there was good in his soul, and started for Valla- dolid, where he was ordained priest on the festival of S. Joseph, the 19th of March, and said his first Mass on the Annunciation. Being ordained priest^ and empowered to 28 YEN, LOUIS DE PONTE, hear confessions, his superiors appointed him to that function, Holy Week and Easter being at hand. He continued it until called else- where. CHAPTER III. HIS SCHOLASTIC EMPLOYMENTS. HIS SOLEMN PEO- PESSION. FATHER LOUIS was for several years engaged in scholastic employments, to the great advantage of his province, and of those persons whose good fortune it was to have him for their master. Ko sooner was he made priest than his superiors sent him to Salamanca, that he might defend theology in that celebrated university, no longer in quality of scholar, but of master; a very rare honour indeed, conferred only on a few others similar to himself. In this office he gave such proofs of talent, wisdom, and erudition, joined to such great humility and modesty, as excited the astonishment and admiration of all who heard him. He acquired an equally high reputation for sanctity both within and without the college. YEN, LOUIS DE PONTE. 29 during tlie few montlis lie remained there; ever foremost in all regular duties^ spending much time in prayer before the most Blessed Sacrament, cherishing silence and interior union with God, assisting every one with an insatiable charity, even in the most abject offices, deeming himself the last and lowest in the house, gaining every one by his sweet- ness, meekness, and other virtues. At the beginning of the year 1581 he was appointed professor of philosophy at Leon, a chair of high reputation. In this new em- ployment he prescribed for himself these two laws : the first was a continual watchfulness over himself and all his actions, that study might not cool his ardour in the acquisition of perfection; the second was, never to spare his own fatigue and labour in the advancement of the scholars committed to him, either in piety or learning, being accustomed to say that it was the duty of religious masters to do all they could to promote Christian virtues in their pupils, otherwise the issue of their teaching would be miserable indeed. With these maxims firmly rooted in his mind and heart, it is inconceivable with what diligence he prepared his writings ; his matter was so lucid, clear, and well arranged, that, however 30 VEN. LOUIS DE PONTE. difficult the subject miglit be, it became in- telligible even to the dullest intellect. Nor was lie content with explaining it once or twice; he illustrated it by examples and similitudes so appropriate and easy, that it was almost impossible not to understand them. Every one had full liberty to apply to him at any hour, to propose their doubts and queries, sure of always finding him most ready to receive and satisfy them, with an ajffability and charity that gained all hearts. At the same time he allowed no lesson to pass without seasoning it with some salutary instruction for the good of souls, inculcating now one, now another of the eternal truths, and the necessity of living in the holy fear of Godj prescribing sometimes to all in common, sometimes to each one in particular, the best means of avoiding those dangers to which youth is most exposed. Seldom did it happen that the scholars left his classes without com- punction, and without being animated to lead lives worthy of Christians. If he so zealously endeavoured to sanctify externs, he was still more assiduous with re- gard to the Jesuit students. Besides the efficacy of his most holy and admirable exam- ple, being always amongst them in every YEN, LOUIS DE PONTE, 31 exercise of piety and mortification, he very frequently called them privately to liis room, under the pretext of advancing them in philo- sophy and clearing its obscurities, taking advantage of these opportunities to discourse on spiritual things, and instruct them in the best means of acquiring virtue, doing this "with such afiability, charity, and discretion, that they loved him not only as a master, but as a father, and each one sedulously strove to imitate his example as well as follow his counsels. With regard to the sanctification of his own soul, it may be said that in a very short time he filled the whole college with the odour of his virtues, nor was it long ere it became difiused throughout the city, in consequence of which great numbers, especially of the nobility, beg'ged him to become their constant director. Although his humility led him to prefer the direction of the poor, he knew not how to refuse himself to any one. Besides his natural talent for the direction of souls, which he so well led on to virtue, God had conferred on him a special gift in this respect; and, in fact, a sensible change of life was soon observed in most of his penitents, and numerous were the conversions he efiected. 32 YEN, LOUIS DE PONTE, Amongst many others was a nobleman of the higliest rank in Spain, who, touched by the holy instructions of the servant of God, changed his conduct, applying himself seri- ously to the salvation of his soul. By an almost continual prayer, severe penances, and abundant alms, he disposed himself to spend holily the short remnant of his life. In the meantime Almighty God was pleased to give him an anticipated knowledge of his death, either immediately to himself, or more pro- bably by means of his director. The noble- man was by no means alarmed at the an- nouncement ; on the contrary, he with a cheerful countenance informed his family on several different occasions that he should shortly die. At first, when his wife and chil- dren heard him say this, they only laughed, seeing him not only in good, but even in robust health. However, as he persisted in his assertion, they, ascribing it to hypochon- dria, endeavoured to divert his mind, and engaged him to share in a party of pleasure which was publicly to take place in the city. But before the day appointed for the festivity arrived, the nobleman fell dangerously ill. He immediately summoned Father de Ponte, made his confession, received the last rites YEN. LOUIS BE PONTE. 33 of the Churchy and, witli tlie servant of God still at Ms side, died, overflowing with con- solation. On Sundays and festivals, accompanied by some of his scholars, he repaired to one or other of the adjacent villages, where, collect- ing the people in the church, he preached to them with so much fervour, and excited their compunction so effectually, that he was obliged to spend several hours in hearing their con- fessions; nor did all this satisfy them, for they would go on other days to the town on purpose to see him. Another of his principal occupations was to teach the catechism to little children, adapting himself to their capacity with invincible pa- tience, persuaded as he was that this was one of the most effectual means of benefitting* the public. Almighty God did not fail to reward his labours, and the zeal he displayed in the promotion of His glory, opening His hand to enrich the soul of His servant with heavenly blessings and sweetness. Whilst pursuing this holy manner of life, having sanctified his beloved disciples, he concluded his course of philosophy, and was appointed to read theology at Salamanca, where he at once acquired the reputation 34 YEN. LOUIS DE PONTE, of being one of the most celebrated masters of that renowned university ; so mucli so^ that great numbers belonging to other schools had recourse to him^ following his rules and direction in their studies^ and consulting him on all the most abstruse points of that divine science. Notwithstanding all the additional labour thus imposed upon him, he would hear them all, and satisfy them with so much modesty and humility as soon to captivate all hearts. This universal benevolence was valu- able to him, inasmuch as it enabled him to benefit their souls, giving him the oppor- tunity of suggesting some salutary admonition or instruction, since he took care to allow no such opportunity to pass by unheeded. His multifarious occupations would not permit him to go into the country on festivals, to exercise the usual apostolic functions, as he had done in Leon. To supply this defi- ciency, he was most assiduous in the con- fessional, an immense number of persons Laving placed their consciences in his hands. It is true this lasted only for one year, his talents calling him to govern for the greater benefit of the province, as will be seen in the next chapter. But his feeble health would not allow him to bear the weight of government YEN. LOUIS BE FONTE. 35 very long; so that, after seven or eiglit years, or about the year 1593, he was appointed professor, and again gave lectures in theology at Yalladolid, being at the same time chief prefect of studies. For the sake of uniformity of subject, I may here interrupt the order of time a little, and give a sketch of his con- duct during his scholastic ministry. In the chair of theology at Valladolid, Father Louis was the same as he had been in Leon and Salamanca, excepting, perhaps, that he even seemed to surpass himself. Such was his reputation, that many were of opinion that his learning was infused, not acquired. Although he had been several years removed from the professor ^s chair, and distracted by other occupations, there was no point of learn- ing, how knotty soever it might be, that seemed new to him, or that he could not unravel, always possessing the necessary in- formation. Xor was his progress less in sanctity of life than was his reputation for theological learning. Above all, there was no one who did not marvel at seeing such pro- found humility and modesty allied with such rich natural endowments and sublime gifts. It was owing to this virtue of humility that God so delighted in the soul of Louis, and 36 VEK LOUIS DE PONTE. took sucli pains to consolidate Mm in it^ sometimes even withdrawing His own divine lights and leaving him to his own resources, to humble him the more. In the year 1595, as he was once explaining the subject of the Holy Eucharist, with that vivacity of mind and depth of learning so peculiar to himself, all at once his ideas became clouded, and a torrent of doubt with regard to this divine mystery sprung up in his heart. He left no means untried to dissipate and expel these thoughts at once. But so great was his uneasiness that he changed colour, and almost lost the power of speech. He could not pos- sibly extricate himself, or proceed, to the alarm of the scholars, who thouo-ht he was suddenly taken ill. Nothing remained for him but to dismiss the school and withdraw to Lis own room. What then ? He had been there but a few moments when he was called to the church, to a lady whose conscience he directed. It was the celebrated Donna Marina D'Escobar, of whom more will be said later. Entering his confessional, the lady said, '^Pardon me, father, if I inconvenience you; perhaps your reverence was engaged on some matter of importance ?^^ ^'A few moments agOj^^ said he, ^^ while explaining the sulgect VEN. LOUIS DE PONTE, 87 of tlie Eucharist to my scholars '* — ^^ Oh ! father_," the lady interposed, ^' listen to what occurred to me last night on this mystery. All at once I was assailed with such a storm of doubts upon the subject as scarcely to know where I was/^ She then explained them one by one, to the great astonishment of her director, for they were precisely the same that had troubled him. ^^N^otwithstanding," con- tinued she, ^^ I ceased not to help myself with such speculations and reasons as quite con- vinced me ; the tempest is now over, and, thanks be to God, I am in perfect peace." '^ But,^^ inquired the father, " what are your reasons ?" As she unfolded them one by one, the cloud was dispelled from his mind, and a new light, as it were, sprung up in his soul. Before Donna Marina had ceased speaking, every doubt had disappeared, and he regained his usual calm. Whereupon Louis eagerly humbled himself before God, thanking Him for having, by means of a simple woman, instructed him so well. Full of confusion, he exclaimed, ^' I will confess to Thee, Lord ! because Thou hast hidden these things from the learned, and hast revealed them to little ones V The last scholastic employment discharged 88 VEN. LOUIS BE PONTE, by Fatter de Ponte for many years was tlie prefectship of studies in this same college; an office of great honour^ and of no less anxiety. With what vigilance and strength of soul he discharged this duty may be inferred from what has been already said. His great care was to have all proceed in good order_, without disputes and contention^ always useless^ and often the cause of serious disturbance. Never would he allow a master to teach any novelty^ or ill-founded or dangerous doctrine. For this purpose he would himself read over their writings_, and if he met with any unsolid sen- tence, would go himself to the master's room, and with the greatest modesty and humility propose what he thought contrary to it, never giving up until he was entirely satisfied. Although habitually infirm, and oppressed with several maladies at once, he assisted at all the examinations, disputations, and other scholastic functions. If he found any one of poor capacity, less prompt in grasping the argument proposed, it is inconceivable with what charity he helped him. He himself would propose the difficulty with such brevity and clearness, that not to come ofi" with honour, one must indeed have been of obtuse mind and cloudy brain. In fine, all went on. VEK LOUIS BE PONTE. 89 with so mncii harmony^ that scholars as well as masters^, admiring his rectitude^ discre- tion^ and prudence, loved him tenderly, and always showed him the utmost respect and deference. Father General Acquaviva, being informed of the excellent endowments and religious virtue of Father Louis, sent him notice of his solemn profession, received by the servant of God with sentiments of the most tender p-rati- o tude and profound humility. To prepare him- self the better for this great sacrifice, and to purify the victim which was to be entirely consumed in holocaust to the Divine Majesty, he repaired to Medina, where, by prolonged prayer, rigorous penances, and a more exact research into his own heart and its internal movements, he strove to render himself worthy of the honour which he received on the 24th of January, 1593, at the age of thirty-nine, of which he had spent nineteen years in Religion. He made his solemn profession with acts of the most sublime religious virtues. 40 VEK LOUIS DE PONTE. CHAPTER IV. HE IS APPOINTED TO GOVEEN. WITH WHAT PER- FECTION TO HIMSELF^ AND SPIPJTUAL ADVANTAGE TO HIS SUBJECTS. FATHER LOUIS had acquitted himself so admirably in the chair as professor, that in a very short time he was held to be one of the greatest theologians then living in Spain. Nevertheless, the brilliant qualifications and religious virtues with which he was so abun- dantly furnished led his superiors to think it would tend more to the glory of God and the advantage of the society if he were appointed to govern the college of the province. With this view, towards the end of 1585, he was sent to Villa- Garcia, as companion to Father Jerome Ripalda, then master of novices, as well as rector and guide of those young priests who, according to the intention of S. Ignatius, having completed their course of studies, spend one year in devout exercises, thus to refresh their spiritual strength, weak- ened by assiduous application to learning. VEN. LOUIS BE PONTE, 41 and at the same time to lay in a stock of solid virtue and other well- seasoned armour, with which to wage war against hell. These fathers are commonly called ^^ Fathers of the Third Year." Louis remained but a short time in this employment, for a few weeks after his arrival Ripalda was sent elsewhere, and the Father General appointed him to the three ofl&ces thus vacated. When he entered upon his new office, his first maxim of government was to lead the way by his own example, ^^ Factus forma Gregis ex animo.^'' He therefore gave himself up to a stricter communication with God in prayer, spending in it all the time left free from other duties. Most frequent were his visits to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and when unable in the day to satisfy his devotion, he spent a great part of the night, and often the whole night, before it, on his knees, immoveable as if in an ecstasy. Even in exterior actions, such was at all times his internal union with God, that he never lost sight of the divine presence. To prayer he joined the greatest mortifica- tion; he let slip no opportunity of overcoming every movement that deviated in the least 42 VEN. LOUIS DE PONTE, from the straight line of duty. His food was sparing, and his sleep, always taken dressed as he was, and on a bench too narrow to allow a change of position, was still more sparing. Though of very delicate constitution, and habitually suflPering from many complaints at once, he never omitted to take every night a long and severe discipline. A contemner of himself and of the world, he wore an old patched discoloured habit, such as is usually given to the novices. He was the first at every regular duty, and al- though superior, he always considered himself the last in the house, sometimes helping the cook, sometimes attending to the stoves, or scouring the kitchen utensils, sometimes sweeping the rooms, and arranging the beds of the sick. This was his constant mode of life all the years of his government; daily perfecting himself more and more by the non-interrupted exercise of every virtue: from whence we may easily infer what must have been his endeavours to perfect all those committed to his care. To begin with his novices, those tender plants requiring so much training, — children of a few days old, whose food must be pre- pared before they can be wholly weaned. YEN. LOUIS BE PONTE. 43 There was no tenderness of maternal love that \ he did not employ towards these his dear sons. Frequently would he call^ first one, and then another, and with afiection beaming in his eyes, inquire about their health, whether they were satisfied with their vocation, what trials they met with, and whether they were in want of anything. He never met them without a smile and some little friendly useful salutation. Every week he saw each one of them in private ; nevertheless, his room was ever open to them all, both day and night. Go when they would, they were sure to find him ready to hear, console, and assist them. But if any one of them fell ill, ! then it was that his charity surpassed itself; everything was done, he spared no attention, stopped at no expense that might contribute to his recovery, even calling in the assistance of doctors from a distance. Attention to the sick could even withdraw him from prayer, so frequent were his visits to them, striving to let them have no reason to regret the indul- gences of a paternal roof. If the complaint, instead of being checked, increased, he spent whole hours with them by day and night, to comfort and animate them, performing even the meanest services for them. It is incredible 44 VEN. LOUIS DE PONTE. "what comfort liis affectionate care imparted to tlie sick, and liow much his holy admonitions cheered them. It is true his great condescension and cha- rity for their health contributed much to win their hearts, and disposed them the more wilKugly to accept his instructions for the advantao^e of their souls. Placinsf in their hands the rules of the institute, he would say to them, " This is the book containing the compact between yourself and God ; study it attentively, and observe it faithfully .''■' He daily made them a fervent exhortation, either on the great favour God conferred on them^ by removing them in early life from the dangers of a deceitful world, or on the strict obligation of corresponding with such a grace. How good and joyful a thing it is to dwell in the house of God ! But to live content there, it is necessary to understand the vanity and insufficiency of all human things, and to de- spoil oneself entirely of self-will, the source of every evil ; to accustom oneself betimes to treat familiarly with God, in whom alone true joy is found; to be determined seriously to overcome self, and acquire solid virtue, a necessary viaticum for our pilgrimage through life. VEK LOUIS DE PONTE, 45 He exacted from them the most strict ob- servance of every rule; a total detachment from flesh and blood_, and whatever savoured of the world; a blind obedience to all that was prescribed; an angelical modesty as the testimony of their interior recollection and nnion with God; and, in fine^ to proceed by the way of love, without any other aim than to please God, and never by the way of servile fear or other human consideration. Neither did he neglect, in due time and place, to prove their virtue by hard trials or public humilia- tions, and to destroy their self-will by em- ploying them precisely in those things to which they showed the greatest repugnance. In correcting them he was very sparing of his words, but so mingled severity with sweet- ness that the offender felt himself obliged to amend. And because all are not of the same temper, nor alike in strength of mind, he would call each one separately, and take an account of his conscience, and according to necessity prepare suitable remedies for each one in particular. By these and other such pious precautions the novices were immensely benefitted, and rapidly advanced in perfection. They looked up to their saintly master as to a most affec- 46 YEK LOUIS BE PONTE, tionate father^ loving him tenderly, placing all their confidence in him, and disclosing all their wounds to him, so that they found their hearts filled with sincere consolation, being excited to new fervour^ and the desire of becoming saints. How much our loving Lord was pleased with the labours of this His faithful servant, and with his endeavours to train up these young men to perfection, to be in their turn fitting instruments for the promotion of His glory, may be inferred from the circumstance of His so often supernaturally illustrating the Father's mind, enabling him to penetrate the inmost recesses of their hearts, whereby he sometimes delivered them from imminent danfrer, sometimes comforted them in their afflictions, and sometimes admonished them of the deceits by which the devil was endea- vouring to overthrow them. He had one novice of a somewhat scrupulous conscience, who, being seized with a deep melancholy, spent many hours in reasoning with himself and his scruples. The holy master, pene- trating into his heart, said to him when next he met him, ^' Take care, brother, and be advised in time. The deviFs aim in exciting this anguish in you is to make the spiritual VEN, LOUIS BE PONTE. 47 life odious to you, and so drive you to des- peration." Re said no more at that time, but kept Ms eye on tlie young man, fearing tliat some day or other mischief might befall him. But a few days later, entering his room unexpectedly, he found the novice in a state of great agitation, throwing his spiritual books, and whatever else came to hand, upon the ground. At this sight he affectionately pressed him to his heart, saying, '^ Do you not see that all this is the work of the devil ? What are you afraid of? God is your good Father, and loves you tenderly. Your fears are all groundless, nor have you any cause for bitterness." The novice was confounded at being thus discovered, but was entirely cured from that very moment. Another novice was once deeply afilicted about somethins: that had occurred whilst he was still a secular, and his distress reached such a height that he was on the point of forminof some bad resolution. Enlio-htened by God, the holy master saw what was pass- ing in the young man's heart, and calling him aside, said, '* Dear brother, why are 3'ou thus uneasy? Be assured the affair was so-and- so;" and he recounted all the circumstances of time, place, and persons. The youth was 48 VEN, LOUIS DE PONTE. astounded at firsts wondering how his supe- rior could have known all this; but guessing that it came from God^ he was perfectly satis- fied^ and quite regained his peace of mind. Another novice was violently assailed by the devil, so much so_, that from time to time his ungovernable fury disturbed the whole house. The superior ordered him not to quit his room, and recommended him with his whole heart to God. One day, as the servant of God was returning home from some visit of charity, he had scarcely put his foot on the threshold, than he was enlightened by God as to the imminent danger of the young man then tempted to self-destruction. He ran in all haste to his room, and found him with a knife in his hand ready to cut his throat. He prevented this, and then, in a tone of great authority he commanded the devil to quit the place, and never to molest the young man again. The fiend was compelled to obey, and the youth was perfectly cured. These instances, and many others, gave rise to a general belief that the superior saw the in- terior of the hearts of his subjects, which contributed not a little to keep them in pro- per subjection, and prevented many defects. With no less care did the servant of God YEK LOUIS DE FONTE, 49 endeavour to instruct tlie Fathers of the Third Year^ — men already mature^ and equal to more substantial diet. He gave them spi- ritual conferences on the most essential points of the institute; on the most suitable manner of exercising the ministry with fruit and pro- priety; on the necessity of despising all worldly honour and esteem^ seeking only the glory of God and the salvation of their neigh- bour in all they might vmdertake and accom- plish, persuading themselves that going forth to wage war against hell, all the devils would league together against them. Many and great were the dangers to which they would be exposed, so that more than an ordinary virtue -'would be requisite to preserve them from falling. Their first aim, then, must be to keep up a continual intercourse with God by prayer, and give themselves to rigorous self-mortification, without which helps they would never do much good. He inculcated these truths with so much zeal and ardour, that his words were like flames of fire. Whilst on this subject we may relate an incident that happened at Villa- Garcia. Father Egidio Gonzales, visitor of the province, reached the college in very bad health. There was no delicacy of charity 50 VEN, LOUIS DE FONTE. whicli the holy rector did not employ in his behalf^ even summoning Doctor Mercati^ a very celebrated professor of medicine^ from Madrid. He undertook to cure the sick man, and succeeded. In this conjuncture the fathers of the college, who reluctantly beheld their own rector always in a state of suffer- ing, requested the physician to give some directions, and to prescribe some sort of a rule of life for him, to which Mercati willingly agreed. Happening, however, to be present at one of his exhortations, and witnessing the zeal and ardour which inflamed him, he said afterwards to the fathers, ^' My fathers, this sick man has no need of me; he has a far more powerful doctor than myself to rule Lim, no other than God Himself. ''' In order that the fathers who were going through their third year might begin at once to put in practice his salutary and sublime lessons, he did not fail to try them well in various ways; sometimes employing them in the most abject and laborious offices of the house; sometimes sending them to the hos- pitals and prisons, to instruct and console the unfortunate creatures there ; and sometimes sending them into the villages, to give mis- sions to the poor country-people. Being thus YEN. LOUIS DE PONTE, 51 tliorouglily instructed, and still further ani- mated by the admirable example of their saintly director, they found themselves, at the yearns end, disposed and able to employ themselves with all their power in the service of God and their neighbour, with incredible advantage to the whole province. With equal ardour did the servant of God, in quality of rector, devote himself to the welfare of all his subjects. Two colleges had the good fortune to be governed by him, — Villa- Garcia and Yalladolid, — in both of which his conduct was in every respect worthy of a religious superior. Never did he present himself before God without recom- mending to Him all and every one of his subordinates and their spiritual profit, that, as he said, it might not be impeded by his own demerits. Moreover, he never under- took anything until he had well considered it in presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and negociated the affair with God. Most zealous for regular observance, he used every precau- tion to prevent transgressions of it. On his point he seemed inexorable, having learut by experience that we easily step from slight to serious transgressions. At Valladolid, having observed that when the sign was 52 VEN. LOUIS BE PONTE. given at niglit^ some of the fathers were not sufficiently prompt in observing silence and in retiring to their rooms^ he^ with much sweetness^ but with equal firmness^ insisted on an immediate remedy. He would grant no dispensation of the rule without very important reasons^ no matter how qualified the individual might be. One of the fathers, going to preach in a neighbouring territory, asked, as a favour, to go without a companion, wishing to enjoy the day amongst his own friends. ^' Oh, no,''^ replied the rector, ^' Oh, no ; why should we omit a rule of such importance in itself, and so useful to us? Go, reverend father, and [with the blessing of God recreate yourself and enjoy the company of your friends, — but with a companion.'* Another father asked his leave to keep a few raisins in his room. ^^Not in your room," answered he ; " it is contrary to our custom, and is not allowed amongst us. Go to the common refectory, where you shall imme- diately and always have what you require." These things are trifling, as every one may gee, but they clearly show how highly he prized religious perfection. Besides the rules common to all, he dili- gently inquired whether each one observed YEN. LOUIS BE PONTE. 53 tliose peculiar to his own office. To tlie masters^ especially of the lower schools, he frequently recommended care in the culti- vation of their young pupils, as a thing of the utmost importance to the welfare of the country. When with the students he never spoke but of holy things, and of what might benefit their souls. Besides public exhor- tations, he saw each one of them in private ; and, beginning with the minister, took a minute account of their consciences ; so that, all things considered, more than one person used to say that under the government of Father de Ponte people must be saints even in spite of themselves. At the same time he would suffer no one to be in want of any temporal necessaries. He was the first to moderate them in any excess of corporal austerities and penances, in order that no one might injure his health thereby. If he found any one suffering from cold, he would take him to his room, and give him some of his own clothes ; and when the other, ashamed of so much kindness, seemed un- willing to accept the things, he would say, ^^Yes, yes, take them, I can perhaps more easily be furnished than you.'*^ Insisting, as he did, on the serious application of the 54 VBN, LOUTS DE PONTE. young men to their respective duties at tlie time prescribed^ so he was in like manner liberal in granting them every relief and in- dulgence on the days appointed for recreation. At all times, whether in sickness or in health, whoever went to him always found him good-humoured, and was sure to be re- ceived with cheerfulness and courtesy. The hidden faults of his subjects he kept strictly secret, endeavouring to have them amended without observation. In fine, he was most affable with every one but himself; he ex- cited universal compassion, being in a man- ner exhausted, scarcely able to stand upon his feet, yet following the common life, and using the common diet of the community, attending to all his functions, whether spi- ritual or literary, supporting every burthen, without allowing himself the slightest relief. I will conclude this subject with two or three incidents little less than miraculous. Father Diego Yela, a zealous old labourer in the Lord's vineyard, was indisposed, which made him very uneasy; he was extremely anxious to recover, under the specious pre- text of doing penance for his sins. The charitable superior said ail he could to quiet him, and induce him to be resigned to the YEN. LOUIS BE PONTE. 55 will of Gocl_, wlio knows better than we do what is most to our advantage, but all in vain. ^^ Yery well/'' said the rector_, ^^ I am now going to offer the divine sacrifice for you ; and know^ that the event will neither be more nor less than as God pleases." The Mass being ended_, he returned to him, and found him quite an altered person. Perceiv- ing his mistake, he changed his sentiments and language, protesting that he desired no otherwise than as God willed; so much so, that he gratefully thanked the superior, who by his prayers had obtained him this religious indifference and resignation. In the college of S. Ambrose, at Yalladolid, he asked one of the fathers to go and give a sermon in one of the neighbouring towns; but the evening before the day appointed this father fell ill. In the emergency it was no easy matter to supply his place. The rector, however, begged another to undertake it, who excused himself on the plea of there being so little time. Father de Ponte, with a smiling face, placed one hand on the father's breast, and said to him, " Go, go and preach; and know that your reverence will succeed better than you think. ■*' The other felt him- self suddenly changed, obeyed without reply, 56 VJEN. LOUIS DE FONTK and on the day appointed preaclied twice with great applause and success. As soon as he was appointed rector, he desired that no poor person should ever be refused an alms. During a year of scarcity the procurator went to tell him that they had barely corn enough to supply the house, " If that be the case/' replied the holy man, '' let the alms be increased. ^^ And without further argument he insisted upon this being done. The result was, that notwithstanding the quantity of bread distributed to all the poor who flocked in crowds to the college, not only had they sufficient corn for the whole community, but even a fair supply remaining over and above. This may be ascribed either to the ordinary effect of almsdeeds, or to the prayers and confidence in God of this His faithful servant. YEN. LOUIS DE FONTS. 57 CHAPTER Y, HE RESIGNS THE EECTOESHIP. IS APPOINTED INSPECTOR. SERVES THE PLAGUE-STRICKEN. HOWEVER unwilling Father General Acquaviva might be to deprive the society of so exemplary^ zealous, and prudent a superior as Father de Ponte was universally considered_, nevertheless^, not to lose him en- tirely, he felt himself obliged to release him from the burthen of the rectorship. But that the province might not lose the benefit of his counsels, he soon charged him with another office of equal care, and no less profitable to the common good. The general, in his anxiety for the main- tenance of religious discipline, and exact ob- servance of the rules in all the colleges and houses of the order, had chosen from each province three or four of the most exemplary and zealous members, whose duty it was to visit, (simply as inspectors, and without any authority to command,) such a number of col- leges as should be assigned them, examining 58 VEX LOUrS DE PONTE, attentively and in detail with what exactitude the rules were observed, with what circumr spection and fervour the ministry was exer- cised, and finally, with what assiduity and perfection each one fulfilled his own appointed ojfice. If anything required amendment, the inspectors were to consult with the imme- diate superior and the most influential fathers of the college, upon the most efiectual and prompt remedial measures, and in due time were to inform the general himself of all they had observed, either good or evil. Father de Ponte was one of the members selected for this duty, and to him was as- signed the principal colleges of the province. In obedience to the order, he began his visi- tation in 1598, going first to Salamanca. It would be no easy matter to detail the suffer- ings he underwent during his journey. A furious pestilence was then devastating Spain, so that every town and territory was jealously guarded, even when free from the infection. The mere sight of the father as he passed along, with his emaciated, unhealthy appear- ance, at once raised a suspicion that he was attacked by the contagion, so that he was everywhere repulsed, notwithstanding his passports and bills of health. This happened YEN. LOUIS DE PONTE. 59 not onlj in villages where lie was unknown^ but even in the larger cities, where he was held in the highest esteem ; amongst others at Palenza, which city refused to admit him within its walls_, and he was obliged to spend the night in the church porch, exposed to the air, and on the bare ground. He was welcomed to Salamanca as an angfel come from heaven. His air of humility and devotion, his manner of speaking on holy things with the ardour of a seraph, imme- diately enkindled fervour in every heart. Although affairs were in good order, the superior at once abandoned everything into his hands. With full liberty he suggested whatever he pleased for the good of souls and the advancement of religious perfection. He held several conferences with the most in- fluential fathers, who, with his approbation and advice, made several improvements for the more exact observance of regularity, which might serve as rules on future occa- sions; in fine, nothing more satisfactory could possibly have been desired. During his visi- tation there was no one in the colle