St Stan Illustrated Story

98 T he first biographer of the Saint tells us that he possessed the gift of “healing various illnesses, fevers, and headaches.” Father Stanislaus had his own peculiar way of producing the desired effect. He would trace the sign of the cross on the forehead, lips, and breast of the sick person, saying as he did so: “May the Cross † and the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ † bring you health of soul and body † Amen.” Then he would bless the liquid refreshment to be given to the patient, saying: “God the Father is life † God the Son is remedy † God the Holy Spirit is health † This is the sublime and undivided Trinity, Father † Son † and Holy Spirit † Amen.” Those sick in either soul or body were brought to him from far and wide. He was also always ready to visit the sick in their own homes. As we know from statements made by witnesses to the beatification process, he brought them “health in their illnesses and solace in their grief” by his prayers. As Fr. Stanislaus always attributed these cures to the intercession of St. Raphael theArchangel, the faithful surrounded the altar of St. Raphael in the Cenacle with numerous silver votive offerings and other tokens of thanksgiving in gratitude for the favors they had received.