"There won't be a funeral, son," said the priest to the postulant. "That's what I need you to understand before we can proceed with the investiture."
"Look," said the child with hurried supplication. "I am willing to be damned, if such were God's will, provided that God be glorified."
The priest sighed deeply. "This is a paradox."
"Will you say that," said the postulant to the priest, "to the children at your parish who will attend Masses devoutly for the next forty years and fruitfully multiply so that the pews will fill up each Sunday? Will you say that to their grandchildren who will live in a country that knows and loves God with all of their hearts?"
"I will," said the priest.
"Then I will gladly do it," said the postulant.
