Page 55 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

LIFE OF SAINT GERARD MAJELLA

new strength comes to them. They go briskly on their way, galloping
when the carriage-horses gallop, walking when they walk, giving no
more trouble to anyone! Thus all went well until they reached the
next stage of the journey, a place called Manfredonia.
Here it became necessary to pay for the carriage. When the bill
had been paid, there remained but a few pence in the purse. Nothing
daunted, however, at this somewhat critical state of affairs, when
Gerard saw some pretty bouquets of flowers, that were exposed for
sale in the market-place, he bought one in order to place it before
Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. He then went straight to the
church, mounted the steps of the Altar, laid the bouquet before the
tabernacle, knelt down and said simply:
“O Lord, Thou dost see that I have thought of Thee. It now
remains for Thee to think of me.” It happened that at that moment
the chaplain in charge entered the church. He saw and heard all.
Thinking within himself that this must be some great servant of God,
he went up to him, and offered him the hospitality of his house.
“May God reward you,” said Gerard, “but we are a large party.”
“Never mind that,” was the reply, “you are all most welcome. You
will, I am sure, accept the indifferent hospitality that it is in my power
to offer you. Unfortunately, my poor mother has been ill for the past
two months. She will therefore be unable to attend to your wants as
she would have wished.”
“That can be remedied easily enough,” was Gerard's quick answer.
“All you have to do is to go back to the house, make the sign of the
Cross on the forehead of your mother, and she will, believe me, be
immediately cured.”
Faith begets faith. The chaplain did as he was bid, and his mother
was well at once. Thus do the Saints repay the favours that are shown
them!
The chaplain on his side was not ungrateful for grace that he had
received. He made Gerard an offering of money to help towards the
expenses of the rest of the journey, and sent the pilgrims with a God-
speed on their road.
At last they reached Monte Gargano. Here they joyfully satisfied
their devotion to the great Archangel, but at last, tired out as they
were from the ascent of the holy mountain, nature craved for rest
and refreshment. Where was Gerard? No one had seen him for some
time. At last they found him rapt in an ecstasy, his face turned up

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