J
Joysong
Guest
We lightly touched on this wonderful saint in another thread, and I have thought about it a good bit this afternoon. Rather than interrupt that thread, I think this holy saint’s life deserves another look by any who may have stumbled upon the mention of him.
For details of his horrible calumny and his relationship with St. Alphonsus during it all, see: cin.org/majella.html
For details of his horrible calumny and his relationship with St. Alphonsus during it all, see: cin.org/majella.html
Has anyone tried putting into practice the silent bearing of false witness without defending oneself? Can you share the experience with us?Alphonsus sent for him at once, this time to take him to a father’s heart. When the holy Founder asked him why he had not said a single word in his defense, he replied: "How could I, my Father? Does not the Rule forbid me to excuse myself and to bear in silence whatever mortifications are imposed by the Superior?"
“Very good, very good, my son,” rejoined Alphonsus, with difficulty mastering his emotion, “go now and God bless you.” As we read in the Positio super virtutibus," it is well to note here that the rule in question is undoubtedly to be understood of excusing oneself where breaches of regular observance are concerned, and not where there is question of enormities so unworthy of a religious. Anybody else, no matter how obedient, would have thus interpreted that rule.
When Gerard in his great humility and utter heroism did not do so, he won the admiration of all his brethren, not excepting the holy Founder himself. The room that was the scene of this incident is still pointed out to Redemptorists who go on pilgrimage to Pagani in their comings and goings across the world.