Hidden Misfortunes

Charity manifests during great calamities and one can see a generous drive to repair the damage. However, alongside these general disasters there are thousands of private ones that go unnoticed, of people lying on beds of misery without complaining. These discreet and hidden misfortunes are the ones that true generosity knows how to find without waiting for their victims to come asking for assistance.

Who is this woman of distinction, dressed in a simple but careful manner, accompanied by a girl also dressed modestly? She enters a squalid-looking house where she is obviously well-known, because she is greeted respectfully at the door. Where is she going? She goes up to the garret: a mother is living there, surrounded by little children. At the woman’s arrival, joy shines on those gaunt faces. She has come to soothe all their pain; she has brought what they need, along with gentle and consoling words that enable them to accept the benefit without being ashamed, for these unfortunates are not professional  beggars. The father is in the hospital, and during this time the mother cannot provide for their needs. Thanks to this woman, these poor children will experience neither cold nor hunger; they will go to school dressed warmly, and their mother’s milk will not dry up for the littlest ones. If any of them are ill, no material care will be denied. From there, this woman goes to the hospital to bring a little comfort to the father and to put his mind at ease regarding  his family’s state of affairs. On the street corner waits a carriage, which is a veritable stockroom of everything she takes to the many wards whom she visits one after the other. She asks them neither about their beliefs nor their opinions, for to her all people are brothers and sisters; all are children of God. When she has finished her rounds, she tells herself: My day has begun very well. What is her name? Where does she live? No one knows. For the unfortunates, it is a name that reveals nothing; however, she is the angel of consolation, and at night, a symphony of blessings rises to the Father on her behalf: Catholics, Jews, Protestants – all bless her.

Why does she dress so simply? It is because she does not wish to insult poverty with luxury. Why does her young daughter accompany her? In  order to  learn how beneficence should be practiced. The daughter also wants to practice charity, but  her mother asks her, “What could you give, my child, since you have nothing of your own? If I give you something to pass on to others, what merit will you have? In reality, I would be the one practicing charity in that case; if you were to receive the merit, it would not be just. When we visit the sick, you help me care for them, and giving of oneself is to give something. Doesn’t that seem sufficient to you? Well then, nothing could be simpler. Learn to make useful articles and make clothes for the little ones. That way, you will be giving something that has come from you yourself.” Thus, this truly Christian mother is educating her daughter in the practice of the virtues taught by Christ. Is she a Spiritist? What does it matter!? At home, she is a woman of the world because her position requires it. However, the world does not  know what she does, because she wants no other approval except from God and her own conscience. However, one day an unforeseen turn of events brings one of her wards to her home, selling hand-made articles. She recognizes her benefactress and wants to bless her: “Hush!” says her benefactress. “Do not tell anyone.” Jesus also spoke in such a manner.