Page 46 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

CHAPTER 6
HIS JOURNEYINGS TO AND FRO

A
few years after the holy death of Saint Gerard, a Lay-brother
belonging to some Mendicant Order, was out “questing” for
his Convent. While going his rounds one day in the company
of two Priests of the locality, he entered the house of an old lady who
was nearly blind. When she asked who her visitors might be, and
what was the object of their visit, one of the Priests replied that it was
a Brother come to beg an alms for the support of his Monastery.
Whereupon the good old lady got up at once, and walked as quickly
as she could across the room, saying:
“O my dear Brother Gerard, let me, I beg of you, kiss your hand!”
The astonished Brother had now of course to explain matters. It
was a case of mistaken identity. Brother Gerard had died some time
previously.
“Brother Gerard dead! Brother Gerard dead!” cried out the old
lady in dismay. “Oh! he was indeed a great Saint.”
She then related how the holy servant of God had once visited her
house in a time of general dearth. For her comfort he had foretold
that she would be able with the one bushel of meal, which yet
remained in her store, to provide for all the wants of her family until
the next harvest. Everything happened exactly as he had promised.
Contrary to the laws of human possibility, this meal held out with but
little visible diminution until the season of plenty arrived. Once more
it was made manifest that what is impossible with men, is possible
with God. Indeed, not only did it amply suffice for the needs of the
whole family and of several workmen as well, but there even

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