Page 126 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

O. R. VASSALL-PHILLIPS

read it, and then placed it on his breast. Shortly afterwards Dr.
Santorelli arrived to pay his usual visit. Seeing the paper in the holy
Brother's hands, he asked what it was that he was clasping so
tenaciously.
“It is,” answered Gerard, “a letter from Father Fiocchi. He orders
me not to spit any more blood.”
“And what do you mean to do now?” continued the physician.
By way of reply the Servant of God said to the Infirmarian:
“Brother, will you take away that basin? I shall not need it any
more.”
Nor did he, but the dysentery still continued.
“What is the use,” asked Santorelli, “of the one trouble ceasing if
the other is to continue?”
The Saint then remarked that the Obedience which he had
received did not extend to the dysentery; whereupon the good doctor
hastened for one of the Fathers, who asked Saint Gerard how he
could have no scruple at only obeying by halves, since it was clear
that Father Fiocchi intended him to recover altogether.
“In that case, Father,” said Gerard, “I will obey in everything.”
When the medical man came again in the afternoon the Saint told
him that he would get up next day. As the doctor could not help
smiling at this, he added:
“Yes, tomorrow I shall get up, and, if you like, I am ready to eat
something now.”
The physician hesitated, fearing lest he might hasten his death.
However, on seeing him so confident, he began himself to have some
hope. He was a man of strong faith, and had often been the witness
of marvels worked by Saint Gerard's power with God. A basket of
peaches had just been sent to the sick Brother, and the Infirmarian
had placed them on the table.
The doctor looked at them and said:
“If you promise me that you will execute the Obedience that you
have received, you may eat one of those peaches.”
Gerard took one immediately, and a second, and a third. Santorelli
then left him, but not without some anxiety. His apprehensions were
groundless. Next day, the Feast of Our Lady's Nativity, the holy
Brother got up as he had said that he would, and resumed his usual
place in the Community.
When he appeared once more at dinner in the Refectory the

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