In 1831, a young man by the name of Frederick Ozanam was attending the university of Sorbonne, Paris. As is too often the case, the university and its atmosphere did its terrible work on the Catholic student’s soul. Young eighteen-year-old Frederick was surrounded by godless companions, immoral behavior, and a host of ‘brilliant’ minds that openly scoffed Catholicism and God. In these corrupt surroundings, the poor student found it more and more difficult to keep his faith alive. With each passing day, the danger to his weakening soul grew with alarming and terrifying intensity.

Then, one apparently normal evening, Frederick happened to enter a church. Once inside, he noticed that he was not alone there. His attention was strangely drawn to a man in the corner, kneeling and praying his Rosary. Frederick stared for a moment. This man was different than most others at the university - he possessed a true love for God, and Frederick could tell.

As he stood there watching, something touched the student’s heart… forever. It was the powerful grace of a good example. The simple sight of this fervent child of Mary deeply stirred Frederick’s soul. So strong was this impression, that the vicious temptations against his Faith were instantly dispelled. He never suffered such a crisis again.

While worldly-minded people may think that religion and prayer are fine for the simple or the uneducated, this incident is one out of countless examples that prove them wrong. For it was no simpleton praying his Rosary in the church that day.

The man whose fervent devotion converted the cold-hearted student was none other than the great scientist Professor Andre Marie Ampere. Who would have guessed that the fervent Catholic praying in the corner of that church would one day be renowned throughout the world for his scientific achievements. For, long after his death, this scientist’s name is still remembered - the terms “amps” and “amperes”, units of measuring an electrical current, are named after this remarkable professor, inventor, and scientist.

Yet the miracle of grace did not end there. Little did Pr. Ampere know that the young eighteen year old who noticed him at prayer would later become the founder of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. When he grew older, Frederick Ozanam began this society to continue the work of St. Vincent de Paul and extend it for the Catholic laity to perform works of charity.

We may never know in this life the immense value of a single good example given to another person. And it is when we strive to live our Faith every day, regardless of who sees us, that the best of good examples are given. Like the scientist kneeling in the corner, our example will be sincere and a source of grace to others. For this one good example was enough to rescue poor Frederick from the damage done by the innumerable bad examples which surrounded and corrupted him.

Frederick Ozanam died in the odor of sanctity, at the age of 40. He lived a truly devout life. He loved to relate that simple, but powerful experience which changed his life. As Frederick himself said, “The example of Ampere acted upon me more than all books and sermons put together.”