Page 133 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

LIFE OF SAINT GERARD MAJELLA

faithful child a foretaste of heavenly bliss. She, the beauteous Dawn,
that ever heralds the rising of the Sun of Justice, would thus gladden
that chamber, dark with death, by the brightness of her coming
before the breaking of the perfect day. It was the answer to a life-
long prayer. Jesus had visited him that morning in the Most Holy
Viaticum, and now his Mother Mary was by his side. Death was not
death for Brother Gerard. It was rather a sweet repose, a falling to
sleep on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, beneath the smile of the gentle
Virgin Mother. As we think of such an end to life's hard battle as this
of Gerard, the aspiration rises almost involuntarily to our lips, that we
may learn with him so to love Jesus and Mary here below, that in our
time of greatest need, Jesus and Mary may be with us as They were of
old with Their servant Gerard.
About half an hour before midnight he asked for something to
cool his throat. The Infirmarian went for some water, but as the
refectory door was locked he was away for some little time. On his
return he found the Saint facing towards the wall, and thought that
he was sleeping. A few minutes afterwards he saw him turn round
and heard him give a deep sigh. Then he knew that the last agony had
already commenced. The Father Minister was summoned at once,
and arrived just in time to give Absolution to the holy Brother as his
soul was passing away to God Who made it.
The Community, reassured by the doctor, had gone to rest as
usual after night prayers. Thus was fulfilled Saint Gerard's earnest
prayer that he might be conformed to the Image of his Lord even to
the end, and might pass away almost alone, uncomforted by any
words of human consolation.
He was in the thirtieth year of his age, and the seventh of his
Religious Life, having been professed only a little more than three
years.
It was on the feast of St. Teresa, in the year 1756, that Gerard
died. His feast is now kept on October 16, the day after the
anniversary of his happy and glorious death.

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