MIRZA ZU-L-QARNAIN, A CHRISTIAN GRANDEE. 127 



approaching the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion, whereas formerly 

 they did so only once a year. Their example provokes among the rest of the 

 Christians a greater frequentation of the Holy Sacraments. Foremost in all works 

 of piety is the good Prince Mirza. Not only does he by his edifying example excite 

 all his people to every kind of good work, but he assists them liberally and lavishly 

 with frequent and copious alms. He does not allow that those of the Sodality should 

 miss the Saturday and Sunday meetings. He is never absent himself from the 

 Sodality meetings, or from the exercise of the discipline, which he takes with the 

 rest even* Friday in honour of Our Lord's Passion. He insists that the children be 

 twice a day at the Catechism, we mean the Christian Doctrine, and to excite them 

 to fervour in an exercise so holy and so beneficial to their souls he proposes fine 

 pious prizes. This Lent l he obtained from the Father who is with him and takes 

 care of all those Christians that the exercise of the discipline should take place twice 

 a week, so that during this more sacred season they might be doubly mindful of the 

 Saviour's sufferings. It happened at that time that for necessary reasons the Father 

 was called away by the Superior of that Mission. This departure grieved the good 

 Prince [166] deeply, because he would now be deprived of the opportunity of fre- 

 quently going to confession, as was his custom. When the Father had gone, he took 

 the resolution of abstaining from meat during two months (the time of the Father's 

 absence), and he observed this resolution so strictly that even the Saracens wondered, 

 when they saw him, even at solemn banquets, regularly refusing to touch meat. 

 Nay, happening to travel in Lent, he kept the fast most punctually, and during the 

 many days that the journey lasted he would eat only once a day, at noon. He con- 

 tinued likewise his usual bodily penances and mortifications, and when Holy Week 

 had come, he celebrated it with all the ceremonies and devotions which he would 

 practise at home. 



cc No sooner was the good Prince apprised of the arrival of the two Fathers 

 sent from Goa, than he sent fifty persons on horseback to escort them and serve 

 them during the rest of the journey. When they had come nearer, he went himself 

 a great part of the way to meet them with his ordinary body of cavalry and in- 

 fantry, a large number, not to speak of his elephants and other things of truly 

 regal pomp. Presently, when he came within sight of them, this Christian Prince 

 dismounted, cast himself on the ground, and, kissing reverently the hands of the 

 two Fathers, asked their blessing ; [167] after which he conducted them to his palace 

 with every demonstration of honour and pleasure. Too great for words was the 

 ecstasy of this good Lord when the Fathers presented him from the Father Pro- 

 vincial of Goa with the patent giving him a share in the good works of the Society. 

 At once, he placed it on his head, saying with incredible joy that he valued that 

 present more than any earthly treasure.' 2 The number of our spiritual labourers 

 having increased, the good Prince bestowed on the Father Superior of the Mission an 



1 The Lent of 1620, as I understand it. 



2 A more official patent from the General of the Society was also asked for the Prince. Somehow, many years 

 passed before it was obtained. It had not yet been received in 1628. 



