There was once a pious young man who had gone to study in one of the Universities of Germany. He had very little money, but he managed to get by throughout the course of his studies.

When he was about at the end of his course, this young fellow became very ill. For a long time he had to rest in bed, and the doctor had to come see him often.

When he at last recovered, he learned that all of his money had been needed to pay the expenses he had incurred during his illness.

To purchase food, the young student had to sell his books, and even some of his clothes. It was not long before the poor man had nothing left to sell. He now felt the pangs of hunger more than ever.

The future looked hopeless. He had no means of supporting himself. He hadn’t completed his studies, and he certainly wouldn’t be able to finish them now. He didn’t even have the resources to keep himself fed! There was no telling how long he would be able to last like this. Somehow, things had to change...

One Sunday morning at Holy Mass, he was praying the Our Father. When he came to the petition "Give us this day our daily bread," he thought of his extreme poverty. He said that prayer over and over again with great fervor.

The good fellow said to himself,

"Surely God will not refuse to hear me to-day, for I am so much in need of His assistance, and He has said that those who put their trust in Him shall never want."

With this thought in his mind he returned to his house. But there was not a morsel of food to be found, and he had no money to buy any.

So the poor fellow sat, starving and dejected. The dreary stillness was broken by the sound of a little mouse in the corner of the room, nibbling on something. The mouse had found something to eat!

The young man followed the sound and found on the floor a piece of bread. It was hard and dry as wood. But to the starving man, it was a treasure!

He picked it up, and was about to eat for the first time in too long. But first, he knelt down to ask God’s blessing on the hard piece bread.

Then he settled down, and tried to eat it. As soon as he started, he heard a knock at the door. He set down the bread and got up to answer it. All kinds of possibilities raced through his mind. Who could it be, and what could they want?

At the door was a rich gentleman holding a basket. Imagine the surprise of the starving young man when he saw that the basket was full of nourishing food! Nothing could have been a more welcome sight!

This kind gentleman lived in the neighborhood, and had heard about the poor student’s distress.

The student was so overcome that he dropped to his knees, thanking God for sending him this much needed gift.

The rich gentleman was so moved to see such sincere faith, that he personally provided for the student’s needs as long as he stayed at the University.

The good student was able to finish his studies. He returned home, and obtained a high position in his native city.