Page 65 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

CHAPTER 9
HIS CHARITY DURING AN EPIDEMIC

P
erhaps there was no spot in all Southern Italy where Gerard
was better known or held in higher esteem than in the little
town of Lacedogna. Here for three long years he had served
the hard master whose violent temper had so exercised him in the
practice of virtue. Here he had lived, in the sight of men and angels, a
life of heroic sanctity, even before his entrance into Religion. Here
was “Gerard's Well,” recalling by its very name the great Miracle of
the Bambino, worked in reward of Gerard's faith.
Whenever, therefore, the Servant of God had occasion to visit
Lacedogna, he was received with open arms by its inhabitants. And
now the little city was in sore distress. A terrible pestilence had
invaded its streets. Panic and dismay reigned supreme, while not a
few recognized in the visitation which had come upon them so
suddenly, the Divine punishment for notorious scandals that existed
in their midst. There was a general demand for Gerard. He, it was
felt, could stay the anger of God.
The Bishop of the place accordingly represented his own desire
and that of his people for the visit from the holy Brother, with the
result that the Saint was sent by his Superiors to Lacedogna. Saint
Gerard took up his abode with an excellent Christian called
Constantine Capucci. This good man and his family were filled with
enthusiasm at the sight of the virtues of their guest; especially were
they moved by the austerity of life which nothing could hide, and by
his exceeding charity.
Every day great numbers of persons, Priests and laymen, flocked

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