On one particular journey made by St. Ignatius of Loyola and some of his companions, they hired a poor man to carry their luggage, for they were traveling on foot. This simple man was very impatient. As such, he was given to swearing and other faults of this kind. The Fathers often spoke to him about this and tried to correct him in these failings.

Whenever these good men arrived at an inn, the first thing they did once their room was purchased was to kneel down at a little distance from each other, and spend a long time in prayer. In the meantime, the carrier generally slept upon a bench, or warmed himself by the fire.

After some time, the carrier was impressed by the piety and reverence of his companions when they prayed. He thought that they must indeed be very holy. He concluded that it was because they were so holy that they were so cheerful in the midst of all their difficulties. So he made up his mind to pray also.

As soon as he saw them kneeling down, he too went into a corner, and remained on his knees till they were done. It was not long before a great change came over him. He soon gave up his old habits altogether and became patient and obliging. The Fathers were glad to see this great change. They knew that God had given him that grace because he had begun to pray.

One day St. Ignatius asked him what prayers he said during the long time he spent on his knees. The poor man answered :

"I am very ignorant, and I do not know how to pray. But this is what say to God when I see you praying, ‘Lord, I am a poor ignorant man, and I do not know how to serve You. But these men who are praying so fervently must be great Saints. O my God, I have the desire to do for You all they are doing, and to say to You all they are saying."

St. Ignatius was much edified with this answer. He thanked God for the graces He had given this man.

Perhaps the greatest grace he had received was to pray at all. Prayer is simply talking to God. And that was what opened the man’s heart to receive God’s grace to change his ways and become a better and happier person.