Philip II, King of Spain, was at Mass in the chapel attached to his palace; many of the nobles were also present.
Portrait of the Philip II King of Spain by Mor Van Dashorstanthonis Van Dashorst, 1554
During the time of the holy Sacrifice the King noticed that two of them, forgetting the sanctity of the place, were behaving in a very disrespectful manner in the presence of God. He said nothing to them at the time, but when Mass was ended, and they had left the chapel, the King sent for them. When they came into his presence they saw at once by the severity of his countenance that he was very angry.
“I observed today,” said the King, “the unworthy manner in which you conducted yourselves in the chapel at Holy Mass. For that sin I banish you both from my presence for ever. I cannot allow anyone to live with me who behaves so disrespectfully in the presence of God. Do not dare, so long as you live, to enter my palace again.”
These words, pronounced in a tone of severity, made such an impression on the two nobles that one was struck with apoplexy, and died on the spot; the other soon afterwards lost his reason, and remained insane during the rest of his life.
Rev. D. Chisholm, The Catechism in Examples (London: R & T Washbourne, Ltd., 1919), 192-3.
Short Stories on Honor, Chivalry, and the World of Nobility—no. 357
