LovelyMay
Stories
93
Chapters
1,516
Words
6.7 M
Comments
0
Reading
23 d, 5 h
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Chapter XV – For Greater Things captures the lasting influence of Stanislaus Kostka, whose brief yet extraordinary life stirred the spiritual imagination of Europe. Just weeks before reaching his eighteenth birthday, he passed away, and the news of his death spread quickly across Rome. Despite his obscurity in life—having held no public office, authored no theological texts, nor delivered great sermons—his sanctity was immediately evident to those who encountered him. The reverence he received after…-
69.5 K • Ongoing
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Chapter I – For Greater Things opens with a striking image of Stanislaus Kostka, a seventeen-year-old nobleman, quietly slipping through the western gate of Vienna in August 1567. Though clothed in garments befitting his high birth, his steps are directed not toward a royal court or military glory, but toward Augsburg, where he hopes to follow a divine call. The contrast between his noble attire and his humble bread meal reveals a young man committed to shedding privilege in favor of a deeper purpose.…
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69.5 K • Ongoing
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Chapter II – For Greater Things begins with a growing tension in Vienna, as Paul Kostka and John Bilinski realize that Stanislaus had not returned home. They were familiar with his quiet but resolute nature, and his recent talk about leaving for Augsburg weighed heavily on their minds. The realization struck that this was not a mere absence—it was an escape. His admiration for Peter Canisius, the Jesuit provincial, and his open longing to join the Society of Jesus had not gone unnoticed. Though they…
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69.5 K • Ongoing
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Chapter III – For Greater Things begins with the storm left behind by Stanislaus Kostka’s sudden departure to follow his religious calling. His brother Paul and their tutor Bilinski, caught off guard and fearful of the consequences, stumble upon a letter left behind by Stanislaus. In it, he calmly explains that he must obey the voice of God rather than the expectations of man. This simple yet powerful message is passed on to Lord John Kostka, their father, along with letters from those involved in the…
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69.5 K • Ongoing
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Chapter IV – For Greater Things begins with a vivid recounting of Stanislaus Kostka’s long journey from Poland to Vienna, a voyage that serves not just as a physical relocation but as a formative experience for the young saint. At nearly fourteen, Stanislaus rides alongside his brother Paul, both accompanied by their tutor, John Bilinski, and several servants. The route, spanning over six hundred miles, unfolds as a blend of natural beauty, hardship, and quiet encounters. They cross sweeping plains,…
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69.5 K • Ongoing
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Chapter V – For Greater Things explores the academic and spiritual formation of Stanislaus Kostka during his time at the Jesuit college in Vienna, a city alive with intellectual energy and strong Catholic identity in the mid-16th century. Amid a culture steeped in both tradition and theological shifts, the Jesuits had recently established a school designed to cultivate not just the intellect but the soul. Stanislaus entered this environment with quiet enthusiasm, embracing a curriculum that blended…
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69.5 K • Ongoing
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Chapter VI – For Greater Things begins as Stanislaus Kostka and his brother Paul transition to life outside the structured environment of their Jesuit boarding school, which was closed following the death of Emperor Ferdinand I. Now studying as day scholars, they move into the residence of Senator Kimberker, a wealthy Lutheran who offers them lodging in his expansive Vienna home. Though the mansion is filled with elegance and comfort, it soon proves spiritually barren for Stanislaus. The home becomes a…
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Chapter I – The Parsonage opens with Agnes Grey humbly questioning whether the account of her life could offer value to others, though she holds a quiet hope that beneath the ordinary surface lies something meaningful. She compares her story to a nut with a tough exterior—perhaps not appealing, but possibly nourishing to those willing to look deeper. Born to a gentle country clergyman and a spirited woman who gave up her wealth and status to marry for love, Agnes grew up in a home where contentment was…-
106.0 K • Ongoing
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Chapter II – First Lessons in the Art of Instruction begins with Agnes Grey stepping into her new role under a heavy September sky that reflects the uncertainty she feels within. Though eager to begin her duties, she cannot ignore the unease of being truly independent for the first time. The Bloomfield estate is large and quiet, and its elegance offers little comfort to someone arriving alone. Mrs. Bloomfield greets her with reserve, offering no warmth beyond formal courtesy. Agnes, still recovering from…
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106.0 K • Ongoing
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Chapter III – A Few More Lessons follows Agnes Grey through one of her most taxing early days as governess to the Bloomfield children. Her optimism quickly dims as she realizes that her role demands more patience, strength, and skill than she anticipated. The process of preparing Mary Ann for the day proves exhausting. The child’s impatience and fussiness clash with Agnes’s inexperience, turning simple tasks into hour-long battles. Mealtimes bring little reprieve. A brief moment of civility at…
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106.0 K • Ongoing
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