CHAPTER XI-For Greater Things

Arriving in Augsburg on the brink of exhaustion after a four-hundred-mile journey, young Stanislaus Kostka’s spirits plummeted upon learning that Father Canisius was not in town. Initially crushed, Stanislaus’s resilience quickly surfaced. He was determined to find Canisius, who had moved to Dillingen, some thirty-five miles away. Despite offers from the Jesuits to rest, Stanislaus opted to continue his quest immediately, his resolve unfazed by the prospect of further travel.

Accompanied by a lay-brother on the road to Dillingen, Stanislaus faced the journey with a light heart and unfaltering faith. That night, he slept in a field, embracing the simplicity of his circumstances. The following day, his pursuit of Holy Communion led him to a little village church. Mistakenly entering a Lutheran church, Stanislaus prayed earnestly, soon experiencing a miraculous vision where angels brought him the Blessed Sacrament, fulfilling his spiritual longing in an unexpected way.

Stanislaus reached Dillingen, meeting Peter Canisius, a stalwart defender against heresy, who was intrigued by the young pilgrim’s piety and zeal. Canisius, wary of the challenges that lay ahead for such a spirited and youthful aspirant to the Jesuit order, decided to observe him further before making any commitments. He suggested Stanislaus stay at the college, not as a student, but as a servant, a proposal to which Stanislaus agreed without hesitation.

Canisius’s introduction of Stanislaus to the college’s kitchen staff marked the beginning of a new phase in his journey. Far from disheartened by starting in a humble role, Stanislaus displayed cheerfulness and eagerness to serve—a testament to his dedication to his faith and his desire to join the Jesuit order. The scene in the kitchen encapsulated the essence of his spiritual quest: a blend of humility, service, and the perseverance that characterized his path to Dillingen.