Page 107 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips
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LIFE OF SAINT GERARD MAJELLA
The lives of the Saints show us that some of God's chosen
servants have received from Him the gift of rendering themselves
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invisible to the eyes of men.
19 We read in the life of Blessed Lidwina that two men once commenced
quarrelling near her house. One of them fled for safety to the sick-room of the
Saint; the other pursued him, sword in hand. Furious with rage, he asked
Lidwina's mother if his enemy was not there. She answered “No.” He did not
believe her, and asked the Saint the same question. Unable to tell what she
deemed a lie, Lidwina said “Yes,” receiving in punishment a blow on the cheek
from her mother. She then said that she trusted in God that He would hide the
poor man who had sought safety in her room. As a matter of fact, his wrathful
foe was unable to see him, and was forced to go away without having been
able to satisfy his thirst for vengeance.
It is told of St. Lucien in his Acts that when he walked through the streets he
was seen by those by whom he wished to be seen, and was invisible to all
others.
The King of Naples having sent sixty soldiers to seize St. Francis De Paula, the
Saint prostrated himself in prayer before the High Altar in the church. The
soldiers went to the church to find him, passed close to him, and even touched
him, but were unable to see him.
Violante, wife of John, King of Aragon, wished out of curiosity to see the
interior of St. Vincent Ferrer's cell. As the Saint refused to comply with her
desires, one day she had the door forced in and made her entrance. She then
saw everything that the cell contained except its occupant. The same thing
happened to her attendants. She then asked the other Dominicans where was
Vincent. They answered that he was in her presence, and that they could not
understand her not seeing him. Then they asked him, “Why do you not make
yourself known to the Queen? She has come to see you. Why then do you not
speak to her?”
“I have never yet given permission to any woman to enter my cell,” answered
the Saint; “not even to the Queen. By a punishment of God her eyes are holden
so that she may not see me as long as she remains here.” The Queen went out
immediately. St. Vincent followed her. She then asked his pardon for her
conduct, and returned home. — See Gorres, Part I., Book iii., chap. x.
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