hments. This will make a man of you, and you will save
your soul. It brings God and His judgments before you. It shows you
that we never know when He may call us, and that we should all be ready.
Suppose He had called you suddenly two weeks ago, where would you be
now?"

Michael said not a word. He just bowed his head.

Father Boone continued, "Be a man, Michael. Take your sorrow as
chastisement from God. You deserve it, as you know. You did not
appreciate the child God gave you, and He took him. Live now as a good
man and husband. Don't worry over the Missus. Her faith will take care
of her."

While he was speaking, Mrs. Daly came in. Turning to her, he said, "Mrs.
Daly, I feel sorry for you and Michael, but I do not feel sorry for the
boy. Willie is now with God. He died the way Christ wants His followers
to die. He is with God now. He would not exchange places with the most
fortunate person in this world. He would not come back again if he
could. God grant that you and I may finish our journey to eternity as
acceptably as he has done!"

"Blessed be the holy will of God," responded the mother.

"Amen," said Michael.

"Now I am proud of you," declared the priest. "Your sorrow is great, but
like true followers of Christ you carry your cross after Him. That is
why He had His way of the Cross, so that when we have ours, we shall not
be alone. Come into the front room and let us say a prayer for Willie's
soul."

As they entered, the friends sitting around stood up. The six lads
saying the beads continued their prayers, but on seeing Father Boone,
they terminated the rosary at the decade they were saying.

When all was silence, the priest spoke out, "My dear people, let us all
say the 'Our Father' for the repose of William's soul. When we come to
'Thy Will be done,' we shall pause for a moment, and dwell particularly
on those words. All please kneel."

He began: "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Ghost, Amen. Our Father....who art in heaven....hallowed be Thy
name....Thy kingdom come....THY....WILL....BE DONE....on earth....as it
is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread....and forgive us our
trespasses....as we forgive those....who trespass against us....and lead
us not into temptation....but deliver us from evil....Amen. May
Willie's soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the
mercy of God rest in peace. Amen."

He rose from his knees and quickly and quietly left