It is well known that Emperor Napoleon the Great, who began his rule so glamorously, spent last years in exile. During his life, he had conquered much of Europe and forced the Catholic countries he invaded to replace their faith with secular principles and ungodly ways. But these countries joined together in resisting him, and at long last, he was defeated at Waterloo and exiled forever on the dreary isle of St. Helena.

However, it is not so well known that, while he was there, this once haughty and irreligious ruler occupied himself by teaching the Catechism.

General Bertrand, his faithful companion in captivity, had a daughter about ten years old. One day the Emperor met her, and said, "My child, you are young, and many dangers await you in the world. What will become of you, if you are not protected by the Faith? Come to me tomorrow, and I will give you your first lesson in Catechism."

For more than two years, the little girl went every day to the former Emperor's quarters, where he heard her recite her Catechism and explained it to her with surprising clarity and accuracy.

When she was sixteen years old, Napoleon said to her: "Now, my child, I believe you are sufficiently instructed in your faith; it is time to think seriously of your first Communion."

(This was before the great Saint Pope Pius X encouraged children to make their first Communion on reaching the age of seven.)

The Emperor continued, "I am going to have two priests brought here from France, one who will prepare you to live well, and the other will teach me to die well."

So it was done. The young Mademoiselle Betrand later told these details herself to the bishop who assisted Napoleon in his last moments.