Page:Impressions of Spain in 1866.djvu/21

Rh Apostle of the Indies, said his mass before starting on his glorious evangelical mission. Ascending a few steps higher, their guide led them into a long low room, richly decorated and gilt, and full of pictures of the different events of the life of the saint. A gilt screen divided the ante-chapel from the altar, raised on the very spot where he lay so long with his wounded leg, and where he was inspired by the Blessed Virgin to renounce the world, and devote himself, body and soul, to the work of God. There is a representation of him in white marble under the altar as he lay ; and opposite, a portrait, in his soldier's dress, said to be taken frpm life, and another of him after- wards, when he had become a priest. It is a beautiftd face, with strong purpose and high resolve in every line of the features.

In the sacristy is the 'baldachino,' or tester of his bed, in red silk. It was in this roojn that he first fell sick and took to reading the Lives of the Saints to amuse himself, there being no other book within reach. Such are the 'common ways' which we blindly call 'accidents,' in which God leads those whom He chooses, like Saul, for His special service. The convent contains 30 fathers and 25 lay brothers. There are about 120 students, a fine library, refectory, &c. They have a large