Over two centuries ago, when the terrible and bloody Revolution broke out in France, Catholics all throughout the country lived in grave danger of being imprisoned or killed for the crime of being Catholic.

Every moment they lived in uncertainty. Priests became scarce, and were constantly on the move. Going from one place to another, a priest was never certain if the next day would find him in prison.

It happened one day to Father Aurain, one priest just like the others in France, while he was saying his prayers in a church. Suddenly, someone burst in and ran down the aisle to tell him that the Republican soldiers were seen coming in the direction of the church. They were coming to take Father as prisoner!

Fr. Aurain immediately realized the danger he was in. Turning his thoughts to God, he begged for His protection. There was not much time. Rushing through the sacristy, Fr. Aurain sought to escape through the garden behind the church.

When he reached the garden he was startled at the sight of two Republican soldiers who were already there. They lunged at him and tried to seize him, but he avoided them and leapt over the garden wall. Fr. Aurain then ran with speed towards the river, which was about a mile away.

When he reached the banks of the river he stopped. Breathing hard, and looking around, he saw those same two soldiers were still pursuing him. They were at some distance, but were running as fast as they could towards him.

Without waiting, the priest jumped into the water and swam safely to the other side of the river. Unfortunately, this did not stop one of the soldiers, who hurriedly leapt into the water after him. Fr. Aurain saw this and began running again and soon was out of danger.

When he stopped to rest briefly on the top of a hill, he thought he heard someone crying for help. The voice seemed to be coming from the direction of the river. He turned around and one glance told him everything.

The soldier who had plunged into the water to follow him could not swim. He was drowning. His fumbling was useless and he was being carried away by the force of the water.

There was not much time. One moment later, Fr. Aurain was retracing his steps and hurrying down the hill. He threw himself once more into the river and was soon at the side of the drowning man. The soldier was sinking fast, and the river was strong. The priest desperately grabbed at the man and, catching his hair, held on tight and pulled him to land.

It was some time before the soldier regained consciousness. When he opened his eyes at last and saw who it was that had saved his life, the soldier was amazed.

"Who are you?" he cried out, hardly believing his eyes.

"I am Father Aurain, the priest of Figeac," his rescuer answered.

"Can it be possible?" exclaimed the soldier, sitting up. "I had sworn to take away your life, for I hated you."

"My child," replied the priest, "I have never done you any harm. Why did you hate me?"

"Because I was told that you hated us and tried to do to us all the evil in your power."

"My poor man, you have been deceived. What I just did has proven to you that what I’m saying is true. You were on the point of perishing while seeking to take my life, and I have saved you from death." Fr. Aurain sat back a little and sighed from exhaustion, "I thank God, Who has given me this opportunity of doing good for evil."

The soldier looked down in thought. This priest had shown such courage in the face of danger, while the soldier's own Republican comrade had deserted him. The very man he was trying to kill had risked his own safety to save his life - an enemy’s life.

God’s grace moved the soldier’s heart. He saw how truly heroic this act of forgiveness was and he was deeply impressed. Needless to say, he no longer tried to arrest the priest. In fact, that soldier afterwards became Fr. Aurain's greatest friend.