Page 114 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

O. R. VASSALL-PHILLIPS

quest. Yes, O Lord, I wish to be well. I wish to obey.”
Thus he started, obedience on his lips, obedience in his heart.
From the very commencement miracles cast a halo round his
path. The first village in which he made an appearance was called
Senerchia. Here they were just on the point of completing the
construction of a new parish church. The villagers were in great
trouble about some large chestnut-trees that were required as timber
for the roof. They had been duly felled, but no effort could drag
them down from the neighbouring mountain, where they were lying
uselessly on the ground.
“Take courage,” cried Gerard, when he heard of this difficulty,
“the church belongs to God, and God will see that it is finished. Let
us go to the mountain.”
On his arrival the Saint knelt down to beg the blessing of Heaven.
Then attaching his handkerchief to one of the largest of the trees,
which was so heavy that neither oxen nor buffaloes had been able to
move it, he cried out:
“In the name of the Most Holy Trinity, O creature of God, I
order thee to follow me.”
Then, to the amazement of all the spectators, he dragged it, alone
and without effort, down to the valley. The rest of the trees were
likewise without further obstacles successfully brought to the church.
Other marvels followed fast. A poor mother was dying in pains of
childbirth. Saint Gerard's help was implored in her behalf. He prayed
for her and saved her life. This is the first time that he is recorded to
have assisted a woman in such a necessity, but since his holy death,
again and again has his intercession been asked that some mother
might be preserved from imminent danger, and her child be safely
brought to the cleansing waters of Baptism. Numerous votive
offerings around his shrine attest that his aid has not been sought in
vain. “Some Saints can help us in one trouble, others in another,”
writes St. Teresa in a well-known passage. This seems to be Saint
Gerard's special prerogative in Heaven — to help women, about to
become mothers, who are recommended to his kindly care, and to
bring them safely through their dreaded travail.
A few days after his arrival at Senerchia, when praying in the old
church of the place, he was suddenly raised from the ground, as
though by an invisible force, and remained for some time suspended
in midair without support. The story was carried into the village by

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