Page 113 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

LIFE OF SAINT GERARD MAJELLA

hastened into the church, the petition in his hand, placed it upon the
Altar, and then with a familiarity, in which love for once triumphed
over reverence, ventured to knock softly at the door of the
Tabernacle and say:
“Behold, O Lord, our prayer! Now it is for Thee to answer!”
On Saturday the wages had to be paid. The whole of the
preceding Friday night Saint Gerard spent in the church, imploring
Our Lord to come to his aid, and to that of the Community. His
confidence did not fail of its reward. At break of day he knocked a
second time at the Tabernacle door, entreating the Divine Prisoner of
Love not to forget his children's needs. He had not yet come down
the steps of the Sanctuary, before he heard a ring at the convent
door. Hastening to the hall, he found there two bags full of money,
which he took with much thankfulness to the Rector. Once more, all
that the Superior could find to say was, that Gerard was the spoiled
child of Divine Providence.
However, it was clearly not right to tempt Almighty God by
neglecting the step required by common prudence. Unless the
buildings' were to be left in an altogether unfinished condition it was
necessary that money should be raised without further delay.
Therefore, after the Archbishop had granted the necessary
permission, it was determined to send two of the Lay-brothers on a
“questing” expedition through the diocese.
The Father Rector straightway thought of Saint Gerard as the
most suitable person that he could hope to find for this delicate
office. But the Saint's health was so shattered, and the heat of the
Italian dog days threatened to be so excessive, that his Superior
hesitated. However, he sent for the holy Brother and asked him how
he would be able to bear the fatigue of the proposed journey. There
was no delay about the answer; he was ready, he said, for anything.
Still the Father Director was not satisfied. Laying his hand on
Gerard's head, without speaking a word, in his own mind he formed
the sentence:
“In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, I wish that you should be
well, and that you should go and make this quest.”
Gerard looked at the Rector and smiled. On being asked at what
he was laughing, he replied:
“Your Reverence speaks, and yet you do not speak. You wish me
to be well and to make this quest — I will be well and I will make the

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