St Stan Illustrated Story

86 A round the year 1730, when her 100 th birthday was not far off, the mother of the above-mentioned Joseph karski related to Fr. Wyszynski another “miraculous” incident which had occurred at about the same time. As a young woman she had a dog of which she was extremely fond. She would play with it, pet it, kiss it, allow it to lick her face, and even to eat off the same plate with her. As we have already mentioned, Fr. Stanislaus went to Lubocz from time to time to hear confessions and celebrate Mass. Mrs. karski goes on to tell us that on such occasions he would reproach her for “being over-fond of the dog.” He would explain to her that it was not fitting that a dog should eat off the same plate as a person created in the image and likeness of God; and that she, who received Holy Com- munion so often, should not permit an animal to lick the lips that re- ceived the Eucharist. These and similar admonitions had no effect. Mrs. karski merely regarded them as the usual scruples of a saintly priest, and she continued to lavish affection an the dog. At last one day, when Fr. Papczynski had come to carry out his usual pastoral duties, he saw Mrs. karski, who was then expecting a child, petting the dog, and he warned her to desist, lest God should punish her by permitting her child to be born a “monstrosity.” She paid not the slightest attention to the warning, but continued to pet the dog which was in her arms. Seeing this, Fr. Stanislaus shouted at the dog: “Down, dog!” Strangely enough, the dog obeyed him and fixed his eyes on the Saint as if awaiting a further command. Nor was he wrong, for Fr. Stanis- laus’s next words were, “Die, dog!” And at that moment “the dog fell, and with his paws convulsively scraping the ground, he died.” The amazement of those who had witnessed the scene was bound- less. “And I,” the aged Mrs. karski concludes, “trembling with fear, fell at the feet of Fr. Stanislaus and begged his forgiveness for not heeding his admonitions. This is why all of us at the court held him in the highest esteem and considered him a saint.”