It need not be said that so earnest a soul made every effort to study, but all was in vain.

In the statement made in Rome ten years later, and referred to before, we find the following: "My wish was to make a thorough course (of studies) and begin with philosophy.

This the superior granted.

My intellect in all scientific (scholastic) matters seemed stupid, it was with great difficulty that its attention could be kept on them for a few moments, and my memory retained of these things nothing.

At the close of the first year (at Wittem) all ability to pursue my studies had altogether departed.
This state of things perplexed my superiors, and on being asked what they could do with me, my answer was, 'One of three things: make me a lay brother; send me to a contemplative order which does not require scientific (scholastic) studies; or allow me to pursue, at my free moments, my studies by myself.' Instead of either of these they gave me charge of the sick, which was my sole (regular) occupation for the whole year following.