Page 121 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

LIFE OF SAINT GERARD MAJELLA

seeing a harpsichord in the room, Gerard induced the Priest to touch
it.
The story of David and Saul now repeated itself, but this new
David placed the instrument of soothing in the hands of him to
whose soul peace was once more to come. Together they sang Our
Lady's Litany. At the joyful sound of the sacred music the whole
household came running to the room. With grateful hearts all
rendered thanks to God. It was evident that the poor Priest was at
length completely cured. He might have said Mass the very next
morning, but Gerard thought it better for him to be satisfied for the
first two days with receiving Holy Communion.
On August 28 he said Mass again, after a lapse of seven years. The
whole parish determined to surround the sacred functions with due
solemnity. Don Dominic's friends and relations accompanied him to
the church. All was ready. Gerard, however, was not present. It was
known that he wished to go to Communion at this Mass, so a
message was sent to tell him that the Holy Sacrifice was about to
commence.
He was found in an ecstasy, the crucifix pressed to his heart, his
face pallid as death, his eyes half-closed, insensible to all sounds. The
Archpriest, his brother — the physician — and several other persons
were summoned. All looked with wonder at the Saint. They left him
with God and went quietly away. On their return, after some time,
Saint Gerard had come to himself. He suspected that he might have
been seen in a supernatural state, so said quietly:
“I slept but little last night. This morning I was overcome by
sleep.” He then accompanied them to the church.
We may here observe that Don Dominic never again missed Mass.
If he ever experienced any difficulty about celebrating the Divine
Mysteries it was enough for the Archpriest to tell him to do so in the
name of Brother Gerard, and all his trouble would immediately
vanish. When the people heard the bell ring for his Mass to begin
they would always say to one another:
“Let us go and see Brother Gerald's miracle.”
Indeed, miracles were heaped on miracles during these closing
weeks of the Saint's life. Thus one of the Archbishop's brothers went
into his room one day to ask his advice on a matter that was
troubling him, and found the Servant of God in prayer before a
crucifix and raised off the ground. He thought it better to leave him

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