Page 54 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

O. R. VASSALL-PHILLIPS

would pay their filial homage to the great Mother of God at the very
shrine where she had bestowed on the holy Founder of their Institute
such marked proofs of her maternal love.
During their short stay at Foggia, a nun in the Convent of the
Annunciation expressed the wish to speak with Saint Gerard on the
concerns of her soul. Great was her surprise when the holy Brother
told her that she would soon be called upon to appear before the
Judgment Seat of God. She was quite young, and in perfect health.
However, in four months she was no more.
During their short stay at Foggia, a nun in the Convent of the
Annunciation expressed the wish to speak with Saint Gerard on the
concerns of her soul. Great was her surprise when the holy Brother
told her that she would soon be called upon to appear before the
Judgment Seat of God. She was quite young, and in perfect health.
However, in four months she was no more.
“How are we to pay for it?” asked they.
“God will provide,” was the Brother's only answer.
Accordingly, he engaged a carriage and pair for the company. The
unfortunate donkeys dragged laboriously behind, as best they might,
under the charge of their conductor. When they stopped at their first
halting-place, in order to take some refreshments, they had to wait
long hours for the luggage and the hermit. At last the poor man
arrived, all breathless and covered with dust. Gerard made him take
the nourishment that he evidently so badly needed, and then gave the
signal for a fresh start. But at this our hermit proved refractory. He
said that his beasts would fall dead by the road-side. They should not
move another inch that day.
“They are not going to remain here,” said Gerard, “I will see to it
all.”
The hermit had no choice but to surrender at discretion.
Notwithstanding his repugnance to travel farther, he mounted one of
the asses, while Gerard made the son of the owner of the carriage get
up on the other. The donkeys thus mounted were then, by the orders
of the Saint, brought to the front of the vehicle, while he himself
took his position on the box-seat, and giving the two asses a flick
with his whip, said aloud:
“In the name of the Most Holy Trinity I command you to take the
lead.”
A moment before, the beasts were utterly exhausted, but now a

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