The Jesuit And The Goaler, On Fasting

The idea of a "gaoler" naturally reverted to the old pagan conception of a "tormentor," or "torturer," as we see intimated in a parable (The Unforgiving Servant Mt 18.23-34) of the New Testament. Massachusetts paid ample respect to this conception of a gaoler, when, in its law on prisons, it instructed the master of the houses of correction, that "every delinquent committed to his custody he shall cause to be whipped at their entrance, not exceeding ten stripes." It had been a practice of Father White to fast two entire days every week, taking nothing but bread and water. Prison life introduced no modification in his devotion. It happened one day that the gaoler dropped into his cell, prisoner's "while he was beguiling his hunger in this malignant fashion." Said the gaoler in astonishment,

"What are you about ? What need has a man so old as you of so severe a fast ? If you wear out your body with such asperity, you will not have strength to hold yourself upright and hang from the gibbet at Tyburn ! "

It had been a practice of Father Andrew White, S.J. to fast two entire days every week, taking nothing but bread and water. Prison life introduced no modification in bis devotion. It happened one day that the gaoler dropped into his cell, prisoner's "while he was beguiling his hunger in this malignant fashion." Said the gaoler in astonishment,

We cannot say whether the good man was anxious about the fees and largesses of that auspicious day, when he should hand over the prisoner safe and sound to the patrons of Tyburn-tree ; since, indeed, it was a great day for all good Catholics, when they escorted a martyr's hurdle and attended the passage of his soul to God.

Father White answered, "It is fasting that gives plenty of strength for suffering anything on behalf of Christ our Lord."

He was kept in prison for more than three years. Then Father Jean Bollandus, writing from Antwerp, said, "Though there had often been question of executing him, he was at last, contrary to expectation, sent to Holland, whence on his arrival he was brought hither, without passports, by an heretical captain."

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