But whatsoever detestation Xavier had, even for the shadow of a sin, he was always diffident of himself; and withdrew from all conversation of women, if charity obliged him not to take care of their conversion; and even on such occasions, he kept all imaginable measures, never entertaining them with discourse, unless in public places, and in sight of all the world; nor speaking with them of ought, but what was necessary, and then also sparing of his words, and with a grave, modest, and serious countenance.  He would say, “That, in general conversation, we could not be too circumspect in our behaviour towards them; and that, however pious the intentions of their confessors were, there still remained more cause of fear to the directors in those entertainments, than of hope, that any good should result from them to the women-penitents.”

Besides all this, he kept his senses curbed and recollected, examined his conscience often every day, and daily confessed himself when he had the convenience of a priest.  By these means, he acquired such a purity of soul and body, that they who were of his intimate acquaintance, have declared, that they could never observe in him ought that was not within the rules of the exactest decency.

In like manner, he never forgave himself the least miscarriage; and it is incredible how far the tenderness of his conscience went on all occasions.  In that vessel which carried him from Lisbon to the Indies, a child, who was of years which are capable of instruction, one day happened to die suddenly:  Xavier immediately inquired if the child had been usually present at catechism, together with the ship’s company?  It was answered in the negative; and at the same moment the man of God, whose countenance commonly was cheerful, appeared extremely sad.  The viceroy, Alphonso de Sosa, soon observed it; and knowing the cause of his affliction, asked the Father if he had any former knowledge that the child came not to catechism?  “If I had known it,” replied Xavier, “I had not failed to have brought him thither:”  “But, why then,” said the viceroy, “are you thus disquieted for a thing you know not, and of which you are no ways guilty?” “It is,” replied the saint, “because I ought to upbraid myself with it as a fault, that I was ignorant that any person, who was embarked with me, wanted to be taught the Christian faith.”

A body so chaste, and a mind so pure, could not have been but of one who was faithfully devoted to the Holy Virgin.  The saint honoured and loved her all his life, with thoughts full of respect and tenderness.  It was in the church of Mont Martre, dedicated to the mother of God, and on the day of her assumption, that he made his first vows.  It was in that of Loretto that he had his first inspiration, and conceived his first desires of going to the Indies.  He petitioned for nothing of our Lord, but by the intercession of his mother; and in the exposition which he made of the Christian doctrine, after addressing himself