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and the cook just at present takes the place of God to command us。〃
And so it was in everything。 He studied singly to see what would
please God most； and no matter how trifling seemed the command he did
just that； with all his heart。
No one ever heard a sharp word from him； or saw him take offense at
anything； or act in the least way out of vanity or selfishness。
And； of course； he was entirely unconscious that he was different from
the rest。 He knew he was trying to do his best in everything； but he
supposed every one else was doing the same。 And with all his earnestness
and exactness； he was as simple and boyish as he had ever been。
One day Cardinal Commendoni； the Legate to Vienna； and a great
friend of Stanislaus； came to Rome and hurried over to the Roman College
to call upon Stanislaus。 Stanislaus； as soon as he heard of his arrival； ran
off to meet him just as he was； sleeves rolled up； apron on； straight from
the scullery … just as any boy would do。
He was in everything perfectly at ease； content in his little round of
little tasks； going ahead toward heaven without any show or heroics。 He
was doing just exactly the little things that God wants us to do； and he was
entirely happy in so doing。
It is true he had never been really unhappy in his whole life。 People
who keep close to God never are。 They have hard things to put up with；
they may be poor； or fall sick； or lose their relatives or friends by death；
they may have to fight very strong temptations。 They feel all these things
as keenly as others feel them。 But they do not become unhappy。 We may
say they have a world of their own to live in； that their inmost lives are
spent in that world； very little touched by the changes and accidents of the
outer world。 They see that there is an outer world； but they choose
deliberately to ignore it； they will not go into it。
You know that if you go down deep into the sea； as men go in
submarines； you find calm there always； even though a storm be raging up
above and the waves toss with angry violence。 So if you once get inside
your life； under the surface； in the heart of life where God is； you will find
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FOR GREATER THINGS： The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
calm there also and a certain peace which is as near as we can come to
entire happiness in this world。
But though Stanislaus had learned this secret； and had therefore always
kept his soul merry； he was happiest of all during the time of his
noviceship。 The very air around him breathed of God and heaven。 His life
there was really an unbroken prayer。 He was like a swimmer who has been
fighting his way through nasty； choppy； little waves； going ahead surely；
but with great difficulty； and who comes at last into long； quiet； rolling
swells； where his progress is delightful； where he can make long； easy
strokes and feel pleasure in the very effort。
And as he was young and ardent； he was in danger of overdoing things。
Prayer； even when it is a joy； is always hard work for us poor mortals。
Stanislaus gave himself so heartily now to praying that he ran risk of
losing his strength and health。 So his superiors； being sensible men；
stepped in and moderated his energy。 He was made to work more and pray
less； told to be prudent； to husband his strength for future work。 And； of
course； he did as he was told。
But God had special designs on Stanislaus。 He was never to use his
health and energy in work as a priest or teacher。 Indeed； his work was
nearly over； though it had been so brief。 He had no long career before him
on this earth； he was going home； and going soon。
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FOR GREATER THINGS： The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
CHAPTER XIV
GOING HOME
When Stanislaus had been a novice nine months； Peter Canisius came
one day to Rome on business。 At this time Stanislaus was living in the
noviciate proper； Sant' Andrea on the Quirinal。 Of course the novices were
all keen to see and hear the great Canisius； the man who had done such
superb work in Germany。 And whatever curiosity they had was satisfied；
for Canisius came to the community at Sant' Andrea and gave a little
sermon or talk。
It was the first of August； the month always most dangerous to health
in Rome。 Just for that reason； perhaps； the old Romans had made the
beginning of that month a time of feasting and boisterous holiday。 And an
old proverb had come down； 〃Ferrare Agosto … Give August a jolly
welcome〃
Canisius took this proverb for his text； but turned it to say； 〃Give every
month a jolly welcome； for it may be your last。〃
After the talk； the novices； according to custom； discussed amongst
themselves what had been said。 It came Stanislaus' turn to speak。 He said：
〃What Father Canisius has just told us is a holy warning for all； of
course。 But for me it is something more； because this month of August is
to be really my last month 'upon earth。〃
To be sure； no one paid special attention to this strange remark。
Novices often say things that will not bear too much analysis。 Particularly
no one would look seriously upon what Stanislaus had said； since he was
at the time in perfect health。
Four days later； the feast of our Lady of the Snows； Stanislaus had
occasion to go with the great theologian； Father Emmanuel de Sa； to the
church of Santa Maria Maggiore。 For there the beautiful feast is kept with
singular ceremony； as that church is the one connected with the origin of
the feast。 Each year； during Vespers on August 5th； a shower of jasmin
leaves sifts down from the high dome of a chapel in Santa Maria Maggiore；
to commemorate the miraculous snow in August which marked out the
spot where the church was to be built。
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FOR GREATER THINGS： The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
As they went along； de Sa turned the talk to the coming feast of the
Assumption of our Blessed Lady。 Stanislaus spoke with delight； as he
always spoke of our Lady。
〃When our Lady entered paradise；〃 he said； 〃I think God made a new
glory for His Mother； and all the saints made a court about her and did
reverence to her as we do to a king。 And I hope；〃 he added； 〃that I shall be
up there myself to enjoy this coming feast。〃
Again his words were not taken at their face value。 Father de Sa
thought he spoke of being in heaven in spirit for the feast。
The practice； now common； was new then； of alloting to each in the
community as special patron some particular saint whose feast occurred
during the month。 Stanislaus had drawn Saint Lawrence for his patron。
The feast of the Saint is celebrated on August 10th。 Stanislaus； who had
clear intimations of his quickly approaching death； and was eager to go to
heaven； asked Saint Lawrence to intercede for him that his home…going
might be on the Feast of the Assumption。 He got permission to practice
some penances in honor of the Saint。 He prepared for the feast with
unusual devotion。 On the morning of the 10th when he went to Holy
Communion； he carried on his breast a letter he had written to our Lady。 It
was such a letter as a boy； away from home； and homesick； might write to
his mother； asking her to bring him home。
After breakfast； Stanislaus； still in entire health； was sent to work in
the kitchen； where he spent the rest of the morning； washing dishes；
carrying wood for the fire； helping the cook generally。
But by evening he was decidedly unwell。 To the fellow…novice who
helped him to bed he said quietly； 〃I am going to die； you know； in a few
days。〃
Claude Acquaviva hurried to him as soon as he learned he was ailing。
Father Fazio； the novice…master； also came。 Stanislaus told each of the
fa