St Stan Illustrated Story

93 O n another occasion, Fr. Stanislaus sent Br. kuczewski to Czersk on an errand. The Brother was to settle a certain matter and return at once to the Cenacle. He could quite easily have been back at the appointed hour had he not taken it upon himself to “go begging.” Father Papczynski, his Superior, had not given him permission to do so, but as he explained when he returned late to the Cenacle, he had felt that, being in the city, he ought to take advantage of the opportunity. The Mar- ians could certainly use the funds. The Brother handed the money that he had collected to Fr. Stanis- laus. He could not believe his eyes when he saw the Saint throw it into the pond, and his amazement increased when, just at the place where the money had fallen, the water began to boil as if there were a fire beneath it. Father Stanislaus said to the terrified Brother, “Just as that water appears to be boiling, so will your soul burn in purgatory.” By such object lessons did Fr. Stanislaus attempt to instill into his subjects a true appreciation of the principles of poverty and obedience.