Life of Father Charles Sire ...

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LIFE

Author's Preface

The publication of this Biography affords us much pleasure, as it is a compliance with many and oft-repeated requests. Innumerable favors having been granted through the intercession of the Rev. Father Charles, during the fourteen years ^ that have elapsed since he yielded up his soul to God, the recipients of them are naturally anxious to know more of him, to become acquainted with all the details of so saintly and edifying a life, that thus their affection for him be increased, their faith in invoking him, and their desire to imitate his virtues.

We ourselves have experienced, in a wonderful manner, the power of this generous intercessor's mediation ; hence, in obeying the inspiration to write his Biography, we are likewise gratifying the promptings of our own heart, in thus laying at his feet our tribute of love and gratitude; happy, indeed, if these simple pages, the first fruits of our zeal for his glory, serve but to enkindle in other souls those sentiments of profound veneration for him and unbounded confidence in him with which we are animated ; knowing that such will redound only to the glory of God, which this good Father so zealously sought to promote, the honor of Mary, who showered upon him her choicest blessings, and the consolation of the faithful themselves, for time and eternity.

» At the date of this translation, 1889, Father Charles has been dead twenty-seven years, having breathed his last August 4th, 1862.

10 Author's Preface.

Though doubtless lacking many requisites of a good biographer, we are nevertheless rich in that zeal inciting us to a thorough knowledge of our hero, and the desire to present our readers with a scrupulously faithful joortrait of his character. Thanks to this zeal, we have been able to obtain from most reliable sources abundant information concerning him, on points wherein we were deficient.

His other relatives and friends, liis fellow-students both at the Preparatory and Tlieologictd Seminaries, liis professors and teachers, even his superiors and the directors of his conscience, have all vied with one another in acquainting us with his virtues and defects, with the most striking traits of his childhood, youth, and sacerdotal life.

His manuscripts, his correspondence, tlie journal he kept so faithfully the last twelve years of his life, his notes written under God's eye during the retreats, and intended especially for his director, were put in our hand ; and it is to these we are indebted for the secrets of his religious life. As to those incidents of his exterior life (the mere efflorescence of the interior) herein related of his novitiate, of the period during which he was employed in teaching, and also of that in which he was pui'suing his theological studies, they, too, have nearly all been furnished us-by liis brethren in religion.

To make the Biography as complete and as satisfactory as possible, we have sought information from every possible quarter — from his scholars, his other relatives, his fellow travellers — even from those persons whose acquaintance with him was limited to that of having been witnesses of his death on ship-board. And we must say that to these latter we are indebted for not the least interesting of our details. So deep and lasting the impression his memory made upon them, that the mere mention of his name, which not one of them had forgotten, was the sole in-

Author s Preface. \\

troduction necessary to assure us a welcome and those many testimonies of kindness we shall ever remember most gratefully.

If among these persojis, or^ in fact, among any who read these pages, there be one acquainted with additional incidents or traits concerning the subject of this Biography, we beg him to consider these lines as an appeal to his generosity in forwarding us tliose precious souvenirs, which have everv where been so cheerfully given.'

• Such information should he sent to one of the following Sulpician clergymen, brothers of Father Charles : the Rev. Vital Sire, at the Theological Seminary of Toulouse; the Rev. Doininique.Sire, at the Seminary of St. Sulpice, Paris; the Rev. Cesalre Sire, at the Theological Seminary of Puy-en-Velay (Haute Loire).

Contents

Pagk Author's Preface. -------- 9

Author's Declaration. - - - - - - - -16

Chapter

CHAPTER I. Childhood of Father Charles

)ORN in France, in the village of Saint- Jor}', near Toulouse, Father Charles Sire, the subject of this Biography, was descended, on his father^s side, from two honorable families, the lives of several of whose members were most beautiful examples of virtue. We cite here but one Gi these, Margaret Sire, Father Charles's grandaunt, whom the most venerable ecclesiastics of the neighborhood used invariably to call The Saint, and who, indeed, died in the odor of sanctity, at the age of eightythree, only a few months before this good Father's birth. At the moment of her death, her face became beautiful and apparently transfigured; whilst after death from her body, which still remained flexible, exhaled a sweet and penetrating odor, like that of violets, perfuming the whole house. This wonderful fact was known to all the inhabitants of Saint-Jory.

On the maternal side. Father Charles was even more

1 8 ChildJiood of Father Charles.

highly privileged ; for Mme. Sire could count during her life fifteen priests in her family: six of her OAvn sons, two uncles, one nephew, and six cousins. Several of these, since deceased, will receive especial mention in this book, as it was under their auspices and patronage that Father Charles became a priest. It suffices for us now to name but one, Monseigneur Savy, Bishop of Aire, whom all the priests in his diocese and the bishops in his province spoke of as a true hisliop, and the two Matthieu brotliers, who, on their return from exile in Spain, filled successively, for twenty-eight 3'ears, the important post of pastor of Saint Sernin at Toulouse. Illustrious as they were by reason of their talents, they were more so by their virtues ; and their memory is held in veneration in both the dioceses of Aire and Toulouse. '

Of the ten children who composed the Sire family. Father Charles was the seventh. A sister younger than himself and two brothers having died before they were old enough to make their First Communion, there survived seven brothers, only one of whom has remained a layman, the other six becoming priests, three of these belonging to the Congregation of St. Sulpice, which directs theological seminaries.

Father Charles was born on the 21st of Decenibei-, 1828, and baptized on the 25th, God wishing, it would seem, that he should be born to grace on the day on which the Church celebrates the birth of the Author of grace. Throughout life, he ever regarded the day of his baptism as a blessed one, or, as he styled it, a fortunate day, the mere thought of which filled him with delight, and each recurring anniversary of the event was celebrated by him in a manner truly admirable, that could but reveal the trans-

' Mouseigneur Savy was first cousin to Mme. Sire, and the two Matthieu brothers were her maternal uncles.

CJiildJiood of Father Charles. 19-

ports of love and gralfitude with which the memory filled his heart. Hence was the name Noel, which he had received in baptism, especially dear to him.

Having been given as patrons the apostles Saints Peter and Paul, he had an especial devotion to these two pillars of the Church, always fervently invoking their intercession, and devoutly celebrating their feast; and it was a subject of great congratulation to him, after becoming a member of the Society of Jesus, that it was on this festival he made the annual renewal of vows. Even now, since he has left this land of exile for his true country, does it not seem as if he still wished to honor them, many. of the remarkable favors believed to have been obtained through his intercession being received on some one of the days consecrated to them ?

But of all his Christian names the one he loved the best and honored the most was that of Charles, which the Church had also given him, and under which he was enrolled among her children. He loved to hear it, to pronounce it himself, to be called by it, to write it, and after the example of an illustrious saint, he often signed his less important letters witii this single name. May we not see herein the reason why God has permitted him, since his death, to be called only Father Charles, this, in fact, being the name by which he is now chiefly known, loved, and venerated ?

It can be said of young Charles, as of so many of the canonized saints, that he imbibed piety with his mother's milk, Mme. Sire sparing no pains from his earliest years to make him a little angel. Gentleness and patience unalterable, caresses, promises, advice, and reproaches truly maternal—nothing was neglected that could form to virtue the heart of a child. Hence, he turned almost instinctively to God, and that amiable, child-like piety, ever one of his greatest charms, was not slow in manifesting itself.

20 Childhood of FalJier Charles.

The Blessed Vir^jin was its first and principal object. Mary had revealed herself to him from his tenderest infancy^ as we learn from the following. *

Margaret, a greataunt of Charles, had just died under his father's roof, and, as we have already said, in the odor of sanctity. Having been a witness of her holy life, Mme. Sire held her in great esteem and veneration, so much so, that when Charles was born she felt inspired to consecrate him to the Queen of angels through this pious relative, *' believing," she said, ^* that in offering my newborn babe to Mary through her, I would thus draw down upon him countless benedictions." Nor were the mother's hopes deceived; for this consecration was doubtless the origin of his sanctity and happiness, the Blessed Virgin accepting the offering, and treating the child as a sacred deposit which she preserved through life from mortal sin, and upon whom she showered her choicest favors, not the least precious of which was his great devotion to herself. This she accomplislied through the instrumentality of a pious peasant, named Catherine Beillard. As this person plays no unimportant part in our narrative, and especially that portion of it referring to Father Charles's death, we deem it advisable to mention here the origin of their subsequent relations.

In the year 1834, Charles being only six years old, Catherine, who had passed her twenty-eighth year, happened to call at Mme. Sire's house, at a time when this pious lady was reading a sjoiritual book to some devout neighbors. Impressed by w^hat she heard, Catherine asked for especial instruction, and Mme. Sire, complying with her desires, acquitted herself of this office of charity so zealously and successfully, that Catherine soon became a fervent Christian, living only for God and duty.

The relations which henceforth existed between Mme.

Childhood of Father Charles. 2 1

Sire and herself brought her constantly in contact with the children, particnlaily Charles, who by reason of his tender age was neai'ly always with his mother.

Catherine could not fail to notice the child's good disposition; and struck by his candor, his innocence, and especially^ what is unusual at that age, his pious inclinations, she soon became very fond of him, showing her affection by caresses, by trifling presents, and by talking to l^im, striving in all their little conversations to inspire him with still greater love for Our Lord and His Blessed Mother.

Charles, reciprocating her affection, was pleased to be with her, and his interest in these talks became more and more marked, Catherine's words, ever plain and simple, but full of faith and fervor, making the deepest and most salutary impression upon his tender soul. He was soon penetrated with such love for Jesus and Mary that within the space of two years his piety assumed the form of a zealous and privileged devotion. Excited by Catherine's exhortations, and interiorly directed by the spirit of God, his love for Mary was indeed great; and even at that early age he often repaired to the shrine of Our Lady of Good Gift, at the distance of more than a mile from his home, on his return expressing to his little sister the sentiments that animated his soul, hoping thus to make her participate in liis devotions to Mary, and likewise in the graces he received from her.

Catherine was over-joyed at young Charles's rapid progress in piety. She could not understand how a child of so tender an age, who had scarcely begun to read, and whose heart had not yet known the visit of the Eucharistic God, could take such interest in conversations which turned altogether on subjects of piety. But above all did she admire the treasures of divine grace enriching him,

22 Childhood of Father Charles.

and gave thanks to Mary for such especial favors. " Ah! how often," she has frequently said, " how often, as he was leaving the house, have not my husband and I, following him with looks of tenderness, exclaimed to each other, ' What a privileged child I what a beautiful soul I Some day he will be a great saint ! He reminds one of the Child Jesus, at the age of twelve, teaching the doctors in the temple ! ' "

On his part, Charles loved Catherine with truly filial devotion, giving her his childish confidence and often recommending himself to her prayers. Later on, Ave shall speak of the salutary effects of this mutual affection, which, once established in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, never ceased to produce incomparable fruits of benediction, the chief of which to Charles, in boyhood, were the preservation of his innocence, a marked progress in virtue, and a faithful correspondence to the most precious of all graces — that of a vocation to the priesthood.

When but seven years old, he became one of the sanctuary boys at Saint- Jory. In this capacity, his modesty and good behavior excited the admiration of every one. Fervent and exemplary, he never gave way to levity. With his young companions he was kind, gentle, and even courteous, but never familiar ; yet his was a warm, affectionate nature, as evinced by his gratitude to all who took the least interest in him.

At catechism, as at school, his application and study entitled him to a place in the foremost ranks. It is even related of him that when but ten years of age, in a protracted public examination, he answered so well all the questions put to him in catechism, that his astonished pastor said witli a smile, *' Sit down, my child, you know as much about it as I do."

This rapid progress at school delighted his family, and

CJiildhood of FatJier Charles. 23

filled them with the hope that he might, one day, make his mark in some of the professions. With this end in view (that of preparing him for a professional career), an elder brother, M. Marcel Sire, was charged with the duty of giving him Latin lessons during his (M. MarceFs) vacations. The child's gratitude for this act of kindness, as evinced by his perfect docility and great and successful application to study, was such that the astonished and delighted teacher devoted himself to his young pupil with reciprocal ardor, frequently stimulating his efforts by little presents. Xor was Charles's heart less capable of love tlian liis mind of understanding, as the following anecdote will prove. One day, pricking a vein, he wrote with his blood a short note to this brother, simple indeed in style, but fraught with meaning. '^ I love you very much, my dear brotlier," it said, " and to prove it, I write this letter with my blood. Adieu."

M. Marcel was deeply touched at this act, which evinced great generosity and delicacy of sentiment, at an age when children are supposed to possess very little. Struck, moreover, at his intelligence, good sense, and piety, that daily became more apparent, he began to suspect that the child was called to the life of perfection. Nor was he long in doubt ; }i few words that young Charles let fall, and his eager desire to enter the Preparatory Seminary, revealed the truth. M. Marcel now urged his father to send the boy to tlie seminary of Toulouse, but a serious obstacle, that the prudent parent deemed insurmountable, prevented the immediate accomplishment of this. Charles, now nearly eleven years of age, was distressed at the delay, but not discouraged. Making this trial the means of increasing his confidence in Mary, he resumed, with renewed vigor, his pious pilgrimages to Our Lady of Good Gift ; he also visited Catherine oftener, and deriving fresh strength from

24 Childhood of Father Charles.

intercourse with her, he solicited^, in union with her, more abundant graces, believing that redoubled zeal and his consequent advancement in virtue rendering him more pleasing to God, to whose greater glory it must needs contribute, would no doubt obtain, in time, a favorable answer to his petition.

His confidence was not misplaced. B}" a providential combination of circumstances, in which M. Sire could but recognize the hand of God, his son Marcel was made professor at the Preparatory Seminary of Polignan, and consequently Charles could be entered there as a pupil at the next session. ^

On hearing this good news, Charles was almost wild with joy; and in contrast to his quiet, calm demeanor, he gave full vent to his feelings. Three things especially delighted him — the happiness of having his brother for his professor, thoughts of the progress he expected to make in study under his brother's direction, and the well-founded hope of being there admitted to his First Communion under the most favorable circumstances. His conduct now became more edifying, if possible, than ever, his countenance more cheerful, his diligence in his studies even greater than before. One thought absorbed him — that of repaying his parents for the sacrifices they were about to impose upon themselves for him.

One day, whilst walking alone in one of the public squares of the village, wholly absorbed in reflection, more like a man of mature years than a child, he was met by the parish priest of Saint-Jory. Astonished at his serious, thoughtful manner, the good Father said: " What are you doing here, my child? what is the matter? why are you so serious?" — '' Father, -I am thinking," was the answer. '* Thinking?

1 The Preparatory Seminary of Our Lady of Polignan Is situated near the railroad station of Montr<?jeau (Haute-Garoune).

Childhood of Father Charles. 25

and of what ? " continued the priest. " Father, I am thinking," said the earnest boy, " that if I go to Polignan this year, I onght to study very hard; as you know, we are a large family, and the education of so many boys costs our parents many sacrifices. I should feel very sorry to think that those they are about to make for me would be in vain. Yes, I must study very hard to compensate them for their trouble." ^' You are right, my bo}^," said the pastor, caressing him; '*' persevere in these sentiments, and you will one day be an honor to your family." Nor was tliis prophecy long unfulfilled.

Chapter II

Father Charles at the Preparatory Seminary. I. — His Conduct before and after his First Communion.

^^l^OUXG Charles was too well disposed not to conduct ^ himself from liis very entrance into the seminar}' at Polignan as a most conscientious pupil, who to fulfil his duty had but to know it. As to this, there is not one dissenting voice, either among his superiors or fellow-students, all of whom unite in declaring tliat his life tliere was from the very start uniformly regular: that he became in a short time a model of virtue and piety; and that, during the last four years especially, he was foremost even among the most fervent. Always I'espectful and devoted to his teachers, full of gentleness, courtesy, charity, and though tfulness towards his companions, he soon became a favorite with all.

" His first care," said Father Lacomme, then his friend and fellow-student, later, his brother Jesuit, ''on entering Polignan was to associate himself especially with those pupils whose virtue was well known, and who, by reason of tlieir influence, their experience, and more particularly their piety, could hold the place of mentors to iis younger bo3's, and keep us in tlie right path. Charles always joyfully sought their pious rendezvous, was docile in receiving their advice, and faitliful in following it to the letter. Among these young friends was one for whose society he had a great predilection, but who, alas I died

His First Couunumon. 27

soon after Charles made his acquaintance, leaving in the seminary a memory embalmed in the odor of sanctity. Charles was frequently in his company, and, indeed, made it a practice to pass certain recreations with him and another student, for the express purpose of conferring to" gether on spiritual things. It was from these salutary conversations, always so full of charms for Charles, that the sweet and amiable piety already implanted in his heart assumed a new and more vigorous development, from the first months of his entrance into the seminary.

" It became especially manifest a little later, when the superior made known the names of the twelve boys who were to be admitted that year to the Holy Table. Both Charles and myself had tlie happiness of being among the number. As soon as Charles knew who they were he hastened to them in recreation, spoke to them of the great event with an overflowing heart, and associated himself with them in an especial manner. It was easy to perceive that his soul was deeply penetrated with the importance of the solemn act we were about to perform, all his conversations turning naturally upon this one subject. But when the preparatory exercises began, ah! then it was his piety and zeal knew no bounds. Not content with preparing himself for this eventful day, he was likewise desirous of seeing his companions do the same; and to excite their fervor, he would frequently say to them: ' How happy we are in being twelve in number, like the apostles with Our Lord I but, alas! there was a Judas among them, and let us take care! ' The happy day came; it would be impossible to describe the joy that inundated his soul; so great were his transports that he could not restrain them. Ever to bear in mind the blessed remembrances of this day, he wrote the date in a little blank-book that he carried constantly about him, and each recurring anniversary was celebrated with that gratitude and love that revealed the unfading im pression made upon his heart. It was^ as he styled it, one of his most fortunate days, which he must give entirely to God.

^^ The eleven other boys Avho were admitted to the Holy Table with himself became, for this reason, esjoecially dear to him. Xot only did he preserve their names and ever recommend them to God in his prayers, but annually he made himself their substitute before this good Master, offering to Him for each one of them in particular that testimony of gratitude and love due from each. Later, when wishing to give any of his fellow-students an especial mark of his affection, he would add his name to this list of First Communicants, saying with great feeling, 'Although you did not make your First Communion with me, we are such good friends that I am going to write 3'our name among those who did."*

''This remembrance of his First Communion,"" adds Father Lacomme, " was ever fresh and unfading in his heart, and undoubtedly the inexhaustible fountain of his fervor. Eight months before his death, meeting me in the Isle of Bourbon, after several years of separation, he spoke of that great day, and with unaffected delight. ' Oh I don"t you remember our First Communion? " he said; ' what has become of the other ten?" Our inquiries gave us reason to bless God for His especial favors to ourselves; for of the twelve Ave were the only two called to the holy ministry and the religious life."

This vocation to the priesthood of which Father Lacomme here makes mention, and unequivocal evidences of which had already manifested themselves in Charles, was, on the beautiful day of his First Communion, so clearly made known to him, or rather so deeply impressed upon him, that he could not refrain from running to his director and opening his heart to him ou the subject.

.His First Comviunion. 29

Very few of the boys of the lower classes of study in the Preparatory Seminary of Polignan were j)ermiti;ed. to wear the cassock; a more than ordinary share of virtue must needs be his who would obtain this honor; yet Charles was thus clothed very shortly after making his First Communion. He was indeed very young, but his heart M'as pure and given unreservedly to God, and his conduct most exemplary. Moreover, he had great good sense, application, and a fair share of success in his studies. Hence, as his vocation seemed solid, and his desire to wear tlie cassock was very strong, his director deemed it advisable to grant him this privilege. The time for so doing could not have been better chosen. The Arclibishop of Toulouse, then making a pastoral visitation in the Pyrenees, had promised to be at Polignan on the feast of the Holy Trinity, to administer Confirmation to all those students who had not yet received this sacrament, but especially to those who had just made their First Communion, eight days previously.

And it was on this day, so memorable for Charles, that he had the happiness of receiving the holy habit — that habit he had so often envied his brothers, and which, we must say, he always strove to honor. His joy was such that he wrote immediately to his pious mother, that she might share it. " He could not,'* said this devout lady, ''^behold himself clothed in the cassock without experiencing genuine delight. Two months later, having come home for the vacation, he hastened to the shrine of Our Lady of Good Gift, to oifer there his tribute of thanksgiving. Impelled by gratitude, he also visited Catherine, and he took advantage of his stay at home to do his little sister^'s soul all the good he could, exhorting her to piety, obedience especially, with this end in view relating to her numberless edifying stories."

Indeed, piety and obedience were at this time his two most brilliant virtaes. ^' From the day of his First Communion/* says Father Lacomme. "his piety ever went on increasing. He frequented the Holy Table regularly, and soon became a weekly communicant. His piety was tender and full of unction; he knew how to converse with Our Lord, heart to heart, as one friend Avith another. This could be seen even in his exterior, and I know that it was so. Xoisy, boisterous sports were distasteful to him, his preference being for those quiet relaxations which did not interrupt his union with God. With this good Master he could remain all day, like a loving child with its father. He went to Him in all things with a simplicity that was astonishing, and he asked for graces with such confidence as knew not the shadow of doubt. His lively faith and his charity made him see and love God everywhere, especially in his superiors. Hence his respect, esteem, and devotedness for them were marked; and no one remembers ever to have lieard him express the least unfavorable word of any one of them.'*

He obeyed them in all things, with a simplicity truly remarkable. Obedience, in fact, was already so deeply rooted in his heart, that it had become one of his most salient characteristics; and he himself states, in some of the notes taken during one of his retreats, that this was the virtue for which, since his twelfth year, God had given him the greatest predilection. So habitual and precious, from that time, did it become to him, that he practised it at home, during vacation, as perfectly as at college.

Not satisfied with obeying, even in the slightest details, both his mother and the elder brother who kept him busy with his books five hours every day, he observed, witli unflagging exactness, the vacation rule laid down at Polignan for those who wore the cassock ; and this boy, scarcely thirteen years of age, cheerfully performed, during

His First Comuiunion. 31

those days of freedom and repose, all those pious exercises, fidelity to which even fervent seminarians sometimes find very difficult.

Every morning he devoted a half hour to mental prayer, and assisted at the adorable sacrifice of the Mass. During the day he said his beads and recited the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin; then, towards nightfall, he made a visit of at least a quarter of an hour to the Blessed Sacrament, and gave a half hour to spiritual reading. And these acts of devotion, usually so wearisome to children, he performed with loving fervor, for his obedience was not that of fear or mere routine — it was the fruit of love. He obeyed his superiors and parents because he loved them, and beheld iu them the representatives of God Himself.

This same motive it was that impelled him to study with diligence, and gave a supernatural character to all his actions. '^ Charles, ^^ says one of his most intimate friends, now a pastor in the diocese of Toulouse, ''^ studied hard, and always with the sole view of pleasing God, by thus doing His will, and qualifying himself the better to save souls — an end ever redounding to His greater glory. This was his dominant thought, and he ai)peared comparatively indifferent to everything else. Hence, after the distribution of prizes on exhibition days, he never failed to make an offering of his to Our Lord, through His Blessed Mother."