I supposed he aspired to enter the Order.

But he told me that, on the contrary, he did not feel himself worthy; that he had not as yet been able to ascertain the Divine Will on this point; that he wished, in the meantime, to do penance, to labour with his hands, to earn his bread--only a crust of bread.

He told me other things; he spoke of certain incidents of a supernatural character which had happened to him.
I at once told the late Father Abbot about him, and we decided to lodge him in the _Ospizio_, to let him work within the inclosure, helping the kitchen-gardener, and to provide him with the frugal fare he craved.

In three years he has never once tasted coffee, wine, milk, or eggs.

He has touched nothing save bread, _polenta_, fruit, herbs, oil, and pure water, He has led the life of a saint, all can assure you of that.