, give it
to some charitable institution or society connected with the Church, or
put it in the poor-box, and then you will be sure it will do the good
you intend. Remember, too, that all the religious articles carried about
for sale do not come from Rome or the Holy Land, and you are deceived if
you think so, notwithstanding the assurance of their owners.

"A trust"--with full confidence that God will grant our petitions if we
really need or deserve what we pray for. It is a fault with a great many
to pray without the belief that their prayers will be answered. We
should pray with such faith and confidence that we would really be
disappointed if our prayer was not granted. Once when Our Lord was going
about doing good, a poor woman who had been suffering for twelve years
with a disease, and who, wishing to be healed, had uselessly spent all
her money in seeking medical aid, came to follow Him. (Mark 5:25). She
did not ask Him to cure her, but said within herself, "If I can but
touch the hem of His garment I know I shall be healed." So she made her
way through the throng and followed Our Lord till she could touch His
garment without being seen. She succeeded in accomplishing her wishes,
touched His garment, and was instantly cured. Our Lord knew her desires
and what she had done, and turning around told the people, praising her
great faith and confidence, on account of which He had healed her. Such
also should be our confidence and trust when we pray to God for our
needs.

"Perseverance." We should continue to pray though God does not grant our
request. Have you ever noticed a little child begging favors from its
mother? See its persistence! Though often refused, it will return again
and again with the same request, till the mother, weary of its
importunity, finally grants what it asks.

St. Monica prayed seventeen years for the conversion of her son St.
Augustine. St. Augustine's father was a pagan, and Monica, his wife,
prayed seventeen years for his conversion, and he became a Christian.
Just about that time her son Augustine, who was attending school, fell
in with bad companions and became a great sinner. She prayed seventeen
years more for him, and he reformed, became a great saint and learned
bishop in the Church. See, then, the result of thirty-four years'
prayer: Monica herself became a saint, her son became a saint, and her
husband died a Christian. If St. Monica had ceased praying after ten
years, Augustine