During the French Revolution, when Catholicism was viciously attacked, there was one particular man who set himself brutally against priests, murdering many of them. To prevent anyone’s attempts to convert him, this unfortunate man swore that no priest who came to his house would leave alive.

In time, the revolutionary fell sick. News of it reached a certain priest, who was all too familiar with the hateful murderer. He knew full well that it would probably cost him his life just to attempt the hopeless task of saving that miserable soul. Still, with courage that can only come from God, the priest went to the sick man’s house.

The dying man was enraged to see him! With all the strength he could muster, he cried out:

"What?! A priest in my house! Bring me my pistols!"

This demand was refused, but that wasn’t enough to stop him. With an icy glare, the man held out his arm to the priest threateningly.

"This arm has slaughtered a dozen of your priests."

But there was no fear or anger on the priest’s face. With incredible patience, he replied, "You are mistaken, my dear man."

Such an answer was confusing to the hateful man, who had proudly counted each death as a triumph. He listened curiously as the priest continued.

"There is one less to be counted, the twelfth is not dead." The priest’s calm look grew more focused as he continued.

"I am he. See the marks of the wounds you gave me."

So saying, the priest revealed his scars, and both men vividly recalled the murderous attempt that caused them.

The dying man had never been so shocked! Not only had his victim survived his cruelty, but now the brave Catholic had returned to face him! Why?

Answering the unspoken question, the priest stepped forward, his words burning with fervent compassion.

"God has preserved me to save you."

With that, he embraced the dying man, who stared back at him dumbfounded. This revolutionary, who had so fiercely clung to his hatred, was completely bewildered in the face of such heroic forgiveness. The raging anti-Catholic was confronted with someone Christ-like enough to risk his very life in order to save an enemy from eternal death.

At long last, God’s grace penetrated the unhappy soul. And the heroic priest, after all that he had suffered, enjoyed the immense happiness of reconciling this long lost sheep to his Merciful Savior.