esus, and a desire of imitating him; as also a special
veneration for, and tender attachment to His blessed mother.

From Naples, where he was employed as master of the novices, our saint
was transferred to Piedimonte, and invested with the office of guardian.
The zeal which this new and more responsible charge called for, was
surpassed only by the profound humility its exercise demanded. Ever a
rigid enforcer of the rule, he was careful to make his enactments
agreeable to others, by being the first to observe them himself. The
beneficial result of such conduct was soon made manifest, for he thereby
won the hearts of all the religious, who under him, advanced with rapid
strides towards the most heroic {514} perfection. Still his humble and
gentle spirit sighed to be disburdened of so heavy a charge; and having,
after two years, obtained the desired release, turned its charitable
energies to the direction of souls, the assistance and alleviation of
the dying and distressed, and the conversion of sinners.

When he was released from his post of guardian, it was only to reassume
that of master of the novices, which be held for four successive years,
and exercised partly in Naples, and partly in Piedimonte. But now
succeeded the accustomed visitation of crosses, to be afterwards
followed by an increase of grace and supernatural favors; an alternation
which checkered the whole course of his life. He was summoned to his
native country, Ischia, to order to discharge the painful duty of filial
affection, and receive the last sighs of his dying mother. Her death
ensued, full of hope, and calm, in the presence of her beloved; and,
stifling the swelling emotions of sensible grief, this incomparable son
followed her remains to the church, and offered up for her soul the
sacrifice of propitiation. Who shall adequately conceive his feelings
during the celebration of that mass? Was his grief less filial, less
poignant, because it was reasonable and Christian? and because, instead
of breaking into wild laments and barren demonstrations, it remained
pent up in the recesses of his strong heart, and left free play and
exercise to calm judgment and the salutary measures of Christian
charity? Christian fortitude requires that we should bear up against the
stroke of death not despondingly, because inevitable, but firmly and
cheerfully, because it is the season of better hope, whereby we plant
the ensign of salvation upon the grave. This will