Page 96 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

O. R. VASSALL-PHILLIPS

feed the hungry. This would have been impossible had not Divine
Providence again and again come to Saint Gerard's aid. He who fed
five thousand men with five small loaves showed once more that His
arm was not shortened. Everyone, both in the Community and
outside of it, knew that bread multiplied miraculously in Gerard's
hands.
Thus, a young Redemptorist cleric related that once he was
watching the distribution of food by the marvellous Brother, when,
to his utter amazement, he observed that directly the baskets were
emptied they were immediately refilled, without any human being
placing in them anything more whatsoever.
Oftentimes this miraculous multiplication of food was witnessed
by a large number of other persons, as well as by those of his own
household.
He had, with the help of the other Brothers, prepared a little feast
for his poor people, a sumptuous dish of maccaroni, loved by every
true Italian. They thought that enough had been prepared and to
spare, but there were more guests than Gerard had anticipated. It
became clear that the supply would run short. Everyone felt
uncomfortable excepting the Saint. He went on quietly giving
everyone an ample helping, and wonderful to relate, when all were
satisfied, there was still maccaroni left upon the dish. It had been
multiplied before their very eyes.
One day Saint Gerard gave away every morsel of bread in the
house, so that not so much as a single loaf remained for the
Community supper. When the Brother who had charge of the baking
discovered this, he was, as may easily be imagined, in a great state of
concern, and went off to the Father Rector to complain. The Rector
sent for Gerard, and blamed him in the presence of the other Brother
for what he had done, especially as it was now too late in the day to
buy bread in the town.
“Fear not, Father,” replied Gerard, “God will provide.”
Then turning to the Brother, he added: “Brother, let us go and
see; perhaps there is still some left.”
“No,” the other said impatiently, “there most certainly is not. If
you like, I will let you see for yourself.”
Gerard followed him to the bread-chest.
“Now,” said the Brother, before raising the lid, “now you will find
that there is not a crumb to be seen.”

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