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A specialty of the Heart of Jesus: the conversion of sinners
Admiral Latorre, the Sovereign Commander of the Grand Lodge of the Freemasons of Chile, was considered by the Chileans as a national glory since the memorable defeat inflicted on Peru (1879). He had accepted, out of condescension, the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in his home. Later, Father Mateo Crawley-Boevey, zealous apostle of the Heart of Jesus, became a friend of the family. After praying at length and having others pray, Father resolved to take this soul by storm. Arriving one day unannounced, he struck the first blow straight to the heart: “Do you know, Admiral, why I have come to your home? – To give me the pleasure of seeing you, I imagine, and to give you a rest in my home, in your home! – No. It is a different matter that brings me here today. I have come, determined to give you absolution. – Absolution? – Yes, absolution, as you wish, after you have confessed, of course. – So this is a declaration of war in the name of Heaven?” And the admiral laughed heartily at what he took to be a banter.
“Yes, in the name of Heaven, admiral. Look at this painting of the Enthronement. It is your King and mine, the Legislator of the great and the small, of admirals and sailors. He is your wife’s King and all here in your home adore Him on their knees, live by their faith, observe His laws, all… except you. In the name of His Heart that loves you and sends me to you to offer His mercy, let His Heart overcome you.”
The admiral was no longer laughing. “I will see. I may think about it some day. It is something that requires reflection…. – And if death came tonight, would you tell it to come again, because today you need to think? But it’s not death right now, it’s Life, it’s Jesus who’s knocking.”
This great, seasoned soldier had become pale, emotional, silent. “Admiral, let yourself be overcome by the One who loves you. Be a brave soldier. Get on your knees.”
His conversion was exemplary. “This is Peru’s revenge on Chile,” the Father liked to tell him. A year later, the admiral died devoutly in his arms.
