Saint Anthony Mary Claret - Catholic Apologetics Information

signal all started marching, while the armed men were still talking with me. Finally the chief told me that
they'd have to take me with them to Puigcerda to show me to the governor. I told them that I had nothing
to fear from the governor, but that they might, for arresting someone with the proper legal papers. They
formed ranks and started marching toward Puigcerda. They were walking briskly, and I began to slow
down gradually. Seeing that this didn't seem to bother them, I began to think, "If they'd wanted to take
you prisoner, they'd have put you at the head or in the middle of the column, but they've let you stay to
the rear. This means you'd better go quickly." So, without a word, I turned around and started heading
for France. After I had gone several paces, the same man who had taken me prisoner turned around and
caught sight of me leaving. He shouted after me and came running. When he caught up with me, he said
in a low voice, "Don't tell anyone about this." I told him, "God go with all of you!"
125. How many thanks I owe the Lord for freeing me and those people who had been taken
prisoner! I must also add, for the glory of God, that a few days earlier a young ordinand and I had agreed
on traveling to Rome together. The day we had agreed on for our departure came, and he didn't show up.
He sent me a message not to wait for him because he couldn't go with me. When I heard this, I walked
on by myself and met with the adventure I have just related. My friend left a few days later, and passing
through the same place was taken by that same band of thieves. They stole all his money and, to search
him the better, made him strip and even took the shirt off his back, as he told me when we met at the port
of Marseilles. Yes, how many thanks I owe God. My Father, may you be blessed for the great
providence and care you have always shown me wherever I have been.
Chapter III
EVENTS OF MY JOURNEY THROUGH FRANCE
126. On the evening of that same Saturday when our Lord and the Blessed Virgin had freed me
from the thieves, I entered the first city inside France, Osseja, where I had a warm welcome. As I was
carrying a pass for the interior of Spain, they took it and gave me a refugee's pass. With this pass in hand
I resumed my trip through the town of Olette. The people there insisted that I stay, but my mind was set
on going to Rome. From Olette I passed on to Prades and there again I met people who received me with
all charity. Next I went to Perpignan, where they exchanged my pass for one to Rome. I was also
welcomed there by people I had never seen or known before. I passed through Montpellier, Nimes, and
other towns, and just on the merits of my pass, without any further recommendation, I met unknown
people everywhere who seemed to be waiting just for me! Blessed be God's Providence for all his
creatures and especially for me!
127. As I was nearing Marseilles a person joined me on the road. He took me to a house where I
was very well lodged for the five days I had to wait for my boat in Marseilles. The next day as I was
leaving the house to go to the Spanish Consulate --I was legally obliged to go there to get my passport
stamped --I asked the first person I met on the street to tell me where the consul lived. This same
gentleman not only told me the name of the street but was kind enough to accompany me there. He acted
as spokesman for me and I was well taken care of. Afterwards he accompanied me to my lodgings.
During the whole five days, in the morning and the evening, he came to my apartment and took me on a
guided tour of the churches, the cemetery, and all of the most beautiful religious sites in that town. Never
once did he so much as mention worldly places or things to me.
128. Finally the hour for my sailing arrived. It was one o'clock in the afternoon. Shortly before this,
the gentleman came to my room, took my little bundle of things, and steadfastly insisted on carrying it.
And so we went, the two of us, to the port and said our farewells at shipside. All five days he had been
so courteous, attentive, friendly, and preoccupied with my welfare that it seemed to me some great lord
had sent him to look after me with all care. He seemed more like an angel than a man--modest, happy,
and at the same time, serious. He was so religious and devout, always taking me to churches, which
pleased me greatly. He never suggested entering a cafe or anything of that sort, nor did I ever see him eat
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