he chapter-general of the order met, he was
named definitor by the provincial chapter; but on his remonstrances at
being thus so often compelled to assume offices, in spite of his
repugnance, he at length obtained a papal brief, exempting him from all
charges, and annulling even his active and passive vote in the chapter.
During the course of the year 1722, another brief made over to the
Alcantarines the convent of St. Lucy, in Naples, and thither our saint
retired, never afterwards to be brought out into the public light, which
he so much shunned, but left to edify his brethren during the remainder
of his life, and to build up the fabric of those extraordinary virtues,
of which we shall now proceed to give a sketch.

Faith, like the keystone of the arch, is that which gives the fabric of
Christian virtue solidity and stability. Of the attachment of our saint
to this necessary virtue, it would be superfluous to say any thing, as
his whole life was a speaking evidence of that attachment, as well as of
the eminent degree in which it pleased God to enable him to appreciate
its consoling mysteries. But he was content to thank God for having
admitted him to the truth, without rashly or profanely lifting the veil
of the sanctuary, and scrutinizing that which is within. He was
persuaded that the attempt to fathom the secrets of God, or to measure
his designs, would prove as hopeless as it would be impious, and
therefore he bowed to the truths of faith with implicit submission. From
this attachment of our saint to the virtue of faith, proceeded his zeal
to instruct the ignorant in the mysteries of religion, as well as the
force, fervor, and clearness, with which he expounded the sublime dogmas
of the Trinity and Incarnation, and even of predestination and grace;
the gift he possessed of quieting doubts respecting faith; and finally,
that constant exercise of the presence of God which he practised
uninterruptedly, and constantly recommended, saying: "Whoever walks
always in God's presence, will never commit sin, but will preserve his
innocence and become a great saint."

Hope in God rendered our saint of even temper in the midst of the
various contradictions he experienced in establishing his order in
Italy. He used to say to his companions, when they were dismayed by the
persecutions they suffered, "Let us hope in God, and doubtless we shall
be comforted:" and to the distressed who flocked to him, "God is a
tender father, who