How often it happen to us that a day that begins just like any other - is absolutely unforgettable before its close.

As on so many other days in the 1800’s, the Bishop of Perignuex, France, along with his vicar general, had set out to the prisons to bring help and consolation to the inmates. This same bishop had recently politely dismissed the establishment of trying to reawaken devotion to the Holy Rosary in his diocese, due to the recent unsuccessful attempts of certain missionaries. He presumed that the times were not right, and that for now, it would not be a necessity. But what happened that day changed his mind. He afterwards wrote to all the parish priests of the diocese, urging them to promote the Rosary, and to spread awareness and devotion to Mary through it.

The bishop and vicar general had visited the various dungeons, and the jailer told them that there was only one more. This last prison held an unfortunate criminal who was to be executed that very day. But the jailer added in a serious tone that the bishop would be risking his life to enter. The criminal was such a furious man, that no one even dared to bring him food.

"All the more reason that I should go to his assistance." replied the good bishop. He then commanded the jailer to open the cell door.

The door was opened, and inside they could see the wretched man. He had actually climbed up into the jail window. It was more than eight feet above the ground, and no one could tell how he even got there. They could only watch the miserable creature in silence. For the poor wretch was so filled with despair that he kept throwing his head violently against the window’s iron bars, trying to bash his brains out.

When he saw the bishop and vicar general, his fury redoubled. He threw himself down from the window, hoping to crush them as he landed. He was in such a rage, that while he was falling, he hurled out insults and blasphemies. The prelates had just enough time to hurry out of the cell and lock the door.

The bishop immediately sent word to all the Religious Communities in the city. He told them to stop everything they were doing and recite the Rosary for this unfortunate criminal. Then the bishop himself said the Rosary with the vicar general . Once they had finished, the bishop received an inspiration from God.

"Come," he said "let us return to the prison: our man is converted!"

The bishop met with great opposition in trying to return to the cell. Even the jailer refused to open the door, protesting that he would be accountable for any harm done to the bishop by the criminal. But the bishop could lose no time - the criminal was sentenced to be executed that very day.

Making full use of his authority, the bishop ordered the jailer to open the prison door. And the resolute bishop added that he took onto himself all the consequences that would come of it - the jailer would not be responsible for anything going wrong.

So at last, the good bishop and his faithful vicar general entered the cell. And what did they see?

The unbelievable power of grace.

The wild man they’d last seen lunging at them from the high window was now on his knees on the cell floor - praying!

Before long, the criminal saw the prelates in the entrance. Bursting into tears, he cast himself at their feet. Addressing the bishop, he said.

"Ah! My lord, forgive my conduct! Grant me your blessing. Our Lord granted pardon to the thief on the Cross; He is not less powerful now that He is in Heaven. Yes, I hope He will grant me remission of all my sins!"

He then asked to make his confession. The vicar general spent two hours with him. The man confessed his crimes with sobs of remorse, and received absolution with deeply felt contrition and gratitude.

Shortly after he was absolved, the officers of justice arrived. They came into the cell, and began to read the death sentence. But the penitent interrupted them.

"Wait, gentlemen," he said, "here begins my Way of the Cross; this is my first Station."

Then, he placed himself on his knees. And in this humble posture, he listened to his death-warrant. Once it was read, the condemned man said aloud,

"My God, I accept death with all my heart, in atonement for my crimes."

The officers then led him out of the prison, to take him to his execution. He was accompanied by the vicar general , who would not leave him. He was deeply touched by this sincere penitent.

At the foot of the prison stairs the criminal knelt down once again, and prayed for a short time. And thus he continued - stopping from time to time in the streets and squares of the city - to kneel down and pray before meeting his God.

Their path through the city passed in front of a church. When they got to this point, the criminal requested the officers to halt. Then, with his face bowed down to the ground, he cried out.

"My God, I am not worthy to enter Your holy temple, but I desire to make reparation at the door for all the insults and sacrileges of which I have been guilty."

He did this with such sincere and intense feeling, that the spectators were moved to tears. Then he arose and walked to the place of execution, where he again prayed for a moment. Then the vicar general called out in a loud voice to the crowd surrounding the scaffold of execution.

"Let us say an Our Father and Hail Mary for the criminal."

The entire assembly fell on their knees - their souls gripped with joy, grief, and admiration. Their deep emotion choked their prayer, and nothing but sobs could be heard from the kneeling crowd.

When this heartfelt prayer had ended, the penitent criminal was executed, and his Way of the Cross was complete.

As the man’s good death continued to make its deep impression on the people, one thing was perfectly clear - it was a miracle. That poor wretch was ripped from hell’s tightest grip - right before the end. And not after a long, weary battle between good and evil: that very day, that dark and hardened soul was filled with such contrition and love for God that he was as edifying as he had been appalling. Now he will be happy forever. And why? Because people stopped everything and took the time to say one fervent Rosary.