On one of the first days after my arrival at Jenne, while talking religion with the parish priest, I spoke of the eternal vitality of Catholic doctrine, of the power which the soul of Catholic doctrine possesses, of continually transforming its own body, increasing its strength and beauty unlimitedly.

You know _Padre mio_, from whom--through you--these thoughts came to me.

The parish priest must have repeated my words, which pleased him.

The next day he asked me whether I had met Selva at Subiaco, and had read his books.

He said he had not read them himself, but he knew they were to be avoided.