Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/205

 whose body  and  blood  you  are  about  to  receive,  and beg Him  with  me  that  on  leaving  you  He  may  take you with  Him."  And  so  he  gives  her  Holy  Viaticum, and  he  anoints  her  five  senses  with  the  holy  oils, feeling  sure,  however,  these  senses  have  never  been defiled  by  mortal  sin.  When  all  is  finished  with  the last  blessing,  it  is  evident  their  prayer  is  answered, for  already  her  agony  begins.  Agony!  No,  it  is  not so,  for  as  one  lives,  so  shall  one  die.  Her  death  is  as gentle  as  was  her  life.  A  loving  smile  for  her  dear Sisters;  a  glance  at  the  priest  on  her  right  as  she whispers:  "  Jesus; "  a  glance  at  Mother  Superior  on her  left  as  she  murmurs:  "  Mary,"  and  she  dies  with the  sweet  name  of  Joseph  on  her  lips — Joseph  who procured  for  her  the  grace  of  dying  as  nearly  as  possible as  he  died — in  the  arms  of  Jesus,  the  Priest  of priests,  and  of  Mary,  the  Virgin  of  Virgin  Mothers. Ah! parents who  arrive  too  late,  why  mourn  that heaven is  richer  by  one  more  saint? The very  expression on  her  dead  face  bids  you  rejoice,  for  it reflects  the  peace  of  her  soul. The old  and  the  poor lament, but  they  mourn  not  her  loss  but  their  own. Why dread  a  death  like  hers? The little  ones  she taught crowd  round  her  corpse  as  familiarly  as though  she  lived. What a  blessed  sight  was  that — some two  score  little  tots  sitting  around,  silent  and serious, wondering,  no  doubt,  that  their  dear  Sister, usually so  active,  should  lie  so  quietly  in  their  midst. And one  little  fellow  she  was  forced  lately  to  chastise now comes  to  pour  out  his  sorrow  and  forgiveness  in a  passion  of  tears. Ah! not sorrowful  or  repulsive  is