At the time of the Franco-German War (1870-1871), among other patients in the hospital of the Sisters of Mercy in France, was a German officer of rank, who had endured very severe wounds. In fact, the doctors told him plainly that his recovery was impossible.

One of the nurses, who was also a Sister of Mercy, being German herself, went to see the officer and asked if she should send for a Catholic priest. The sick man admitted that he was a Catholic, but he refused to go to Confession. Despite the sister’s pleas and counseling, the stubborn officer remained unmoved.

At length, the nun said she would pray earnestly for him, until it should please God to melt his hard heart. The officer warned her that she would get weary of her supplications. A smile lit in the religious’ eyes. When it comes to the salvation of souls, true prayer must always persevere. The sister gave the soldier an example to prove her resolution. She told him that for the last sixteen years she had prayed daily for the conversion of an unhappy individual, and her sisters had also prayed with the same intention, and would still continue to do so.

"For sixteen years?" the officer exclaimed. How could he answer that? Then a thought came to him. "It must be some one very dear to you," he assumed aloud. "Your father, perhaps, or your brother."

"Nothing of the sort," the sister shook her head. "It is some one I do not know in the least." The soldier found this hard to believe, but she continued. "For thirty years, my mother lived with a lady of rank in Germany. Sixteen years ago, that lady asked me, through my mother, to pray for the conversion of her only son, who was leading an ungodly and dissolute life. Ever since then we have not once failed to pray for him every day. A few days ago, we received a letter from the countess, his mother, informing us that her son was with the army in France."

On hearing this description, the officer became visibly attentive. He turned to the sister eagerly and asked: "Was your mother’s name Beata?" Now it was her turn to be shocked.

"It was," the nun muttered in amazement. "Can it be possible," she asked, "that you are Count Charles?" The sick man grew very excited.

"Yes," he said, "I am. At my departure to join my regiment, my mother again besought me to lead a Catholic life." The memory brought tears to the soldier’s eyes. He smiled at his own emotions. "I felt inclined to laugh at her admonitions, but now I could weep like a child."

Life is not a string of random or coincidental events. For perhaps the first time, Count Charles understood this and recognized the Hand of God at work in his life, realizing that it was His Good Providence that had led him to his unknown benefactress.

Now the grace that had, for so long, been locked outside his hardened heart, burst through and touched his soul. The heart of that nun, too, was overwhelmed with grateful emotion, as the dying count consented to make his confession and receive the sacraments.

A complete change had been worked in him. He died in the best dispositions, with every sign of deep contrition. When she heard what had happened to her son, the countess wept with joy. The grateful mother knew that she could never give Almighty God enough thanks and praise worthy for such a miracle.

God, in His goodness, had permitted that nun to see what He often keeps hidden from most of us, that is - the fruits of our prayers. But as this true story shows us, when you persevere in prayers that are aimed for the Glory of God or the good of souls and you strive to keep this desire alive in your heart - they will be answered, even if you have to wait until Heaven to find out.

"Pray for one another, that you may be saved."

- St. James