Page 77 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

CHAPTER 11
HIS GREAT TRIAL

“H
ave the charity to pray much for me. I stand in great
need of prayers.”
Thus wrote Saint Gerard, in the spring of 1754, to a
Priest with whom he was on terms of intimacy. The next day he was
to leave Iliceto for Nocera, the residence of St. Alphonsus. A most
cruel accusation had just been made against his good name, and the
Holy Founder had summoned him into his own presence to meet it
as best he could.
It would seem that St. Alphonsus never gave full credence to this
odious calumny, but as yet he knew but little of Gerard, and the
evidence against him appeared to be overwhelmingly strong. When
the poor Brother arrived at Nocera, he was at once acquainted with
the nature of the charge that had been brought against his character.
He listened to all without a word, though, of course, he would have
been perfectly free to justify himself had he so pleased.
The rule which forbids a Redemptorist to defend himself when
reproved, was never intended to apply to such circumstances as
these. But the Servant of God thought of his Vow, always to do that
which is most perfect, and determined, in honour of the silence of
our Blessed Lord under false accusation, not to say one word in
answer to the abominable calumny with which he was assailed.
However, his failure to meet or even deny the charge, seemed like a
tacit acknowledgment of guilt. St. Alphonsus was not slow to express
his sorrow and indignation. He deprived Gerard of Holy
Communion, and forbade him in the strictest manner possible to

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