In the latter half of the eighteen hundreds, there lived a young boy named George in the diocese of Rouen, France. He was well known for his piety and devotion. One can then well imagine the fervor and love with which he received Our Lord for the first time in Holy Communion. The following day, he went to his confessor, who was his director and told him about a promise he wished to make, showing the priest the resolution which he had written out on paper.

The boy explained, "I am resolved to continue to wear the white necktie I wore for my first Holy Communion, as long as I do not commit a grievous sin."

The priest was puzzled at the unusual request. "I cannot take upon myself the responsibility of allowing you to keep so strange a resolution; you must go to your mother and ask her permission."

George did as the priest told him and obtained permission from his mother to follow his holy desires. With this resolution, the young boy decided to receive Holy Communion on every first Friday in addition to Sundays and principal feasts. In those days people did not receive Holy Communion frequently.

The years passed and a sudden change came over George's life when the war broke out between France and Germany. The young man asked his father's permission to join the Pontifical Zouaves. This was granted and he became a soldier under a general named Charette.

Just as he had done at college, George stood out amoungst his companions for his great practice of virtue. It was during the month of January, while near the town of LeMans, in France, that the Zouaves were called to action. Amidst the fighting, George proved that those pure of heart, filled with the love of God, receive also from Him great strength and courage. He fought bravely against the enemy and it was here that the young soldier fell, mortally wounded. The dying Catholic immediately called for the chaplain.

When the priest arrived, George said to him, "Father, three days ago I went to Confession and Holy Communion and have nothing on my conscience: please be so good, then, as to bring me the Holy Viaticum." By this, he was referring to the Blessed Sacrament, as so It is called when given to the dying. The word Viaticum is a Latin word. It refers to the important role that the Blessed Sacrament plays in the journey that the dying Catholic is about to make. It is recognized as the sole Bread of the person on the road ("via") to eternity.

After requesting Holy Viaticum, the young man continued. "I ask just a little favor. In my knapsack you will find a white necktie, and a rosary; kindly get them for me."

This the priest did and George, looking at his two possessions, asked another favor. "Put the white necktie around my neck." After the chaplain put it on the young man, he gave him the Blessed Sacrament.

Then George turned to the faithful priest and left him a few last instructions.

"When I am dead, take off this necktie and send it to my mother; write to her and tell her for me, that this necktie of my first Communion has never been stained." In this way George sent his mother the most consoling message a parent can receive from their child - that the son or daughter had not soiled their soul with serious sin. Knowing this, his mother knew that her son had saved his soul and would be blissfully happy and secure in Heaven forever with God and all of those that love Him.

Fortunately for us, God's love is so great that He gave us another merciful Sacrament - the Sacrament of Confession. Through this great means a poor sinner who has not been as careful as George can still be restored to God's grace and friendship by: making a good confession to a Catholic priest; being truly sorry for their sins with a firm intention to not repeat them; and by doing penance to repair the damage done by their sins. In this way, like the Prodigal Son in Christ's parable, a sinner's soul can be cleansed and have again the hope of eternal salvation.