Page 49 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

LIFE OF SAINT GERARD MAJELLA

lesson. So he deliberately told the horse to take the shoes off again,
that there might be nothing for which to pay. The animal stepped
forward, shook its hoofs, and lo! the shoes fell to the earth. The
blacksmith was struck mute with astonishment. But after a few
moments, as he saw the figure of Saint Gerard riding away on his
unshod steed and gradually disappearing in the distance, he called out
loudly:
“Gerard, Gerard, will you come back for one instant?”
Brother Gerard, however, was not thus to be brought back, He
proceeded quietly on his journey.
The servant of God had but to call the little birds, and they would
come flocking round him and perch on his hand. We are told that the
young nephew of a certain priest, Don Salvatore by name, had a bird
given to him which he kept in a cage in his room. Gerard, pitying it in
its unnatural captivity, opened the cage and let it fly happily away. But
as the child began to cry bitterly at the loss of his pet, Gerard went to
the window, and called out:
“Come back, little bird, come back, the child is crying. He wants
you.”
Back came the little creature, obedient to the voice of Gerard,
who restored it to its owner.
On another occasion, when on his way to Corato, the Saint met a
small farmer who was in great distress. The field-mice were
destroying all the produce of his land, on which he was absolutely
dependent for the support of his family. Saint Gerard's tender heart
was filled with compassion for the sad condition of these poor
people. Accordingly, he asked the farmer whether he would prefer
the mice to die, or would he have them go elsewhere?
“Let them all die,” was the decisive answer that came without a
moment's hesitation.
“Very well!” assented Gerard.
He then raised his hand, and made the sign of the Cross in the
direction of the field. That same instant its surface was strewn with
dead and dying mice. Amazed at the wonderful sight that met his
view, our farmer, beside himself with delight, went full haste into
Corato, spreading the news far and wide that a great Saint would
soon be in the town.
We will now relate a miracle of another kind. The holy Brother
once went into a strange house and asked for something to eat. He

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