Page 25 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

LIFE OF SAINT GERARD MAJELLA

“He knows: let him tell you himself.”
The Saint meekly replied with perfect truth that he had fallen off
his tailor's table, keeping to himself the cause of that cruel fall.
Gerard had even after this to suffer unceasing insults and blows
from his savage tormentor. He bore them all with a smile, forgiving
his persecutor, in whom he recognized the unsuspecting instrument
of the Will of God. Well did he know that these sufferings were
intended to be the great instrument of his sanctification by forming
in him the Christian character; by making him more and more gentle,
meek, humble, and forgiving — in a word, rendering him more and
more like Christ his Lord, who, when He was reviled, answered not
again, and gladly endured unspeakable indignities at the hands of
sinners.
Meanwhile, God was preparing a respite for his servant. One day
Pannuto followed him secretly to the church, and was there
entranced by the spectacle that met his gaze. After having prayed for
some time with great fervour, Gerard performed an act of
mortification and humility that is much practised by the people of
Southern Italy — an act which St. Alphonsus used to encourage
them to perform in reparation for the blasphemy that is
unfortunately too common amongst impulsive Neapolitans. He
prostrated himself, kissed the ground, and drew his tongue along the
pavement until he came to the foot of the Altar. He was then
immediately ravished in an ecstasy.
This scene made a lasting impression upon Pannuto. Amazed to
see his young apprentice admitted by God to such a lofty state of
contemplation, thenceforth he venerated him as a Saint, and
dismissed his persecutor.
At this period Almighty God was pleased to work the following
great miracle through Saint Gerard. The servant of God was one
night with his master's son guarding his vineyards against possible
thieves. In order the better to enkindle his devotion towards the
Passion of Our Lord, Gerard made a cross, surrounded it with some
lights, and commenced to chant the Miserere. Suddenly some ricks of
straw took fire.
Pannuto's son cried out in alarm.
“It is nothing,” said Gerard, and, as he made the sign of the cross,
the fire was at once extinguished.
Our Saint was still in Pannuto's service when, on the Feast of

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