SAINT ANTHONY, THE MASTER SURGEON 7

The following miracles attributed to St.Anthony, just after his death, are taken from the documented record called ‘Rigaldine Legend’. They were written by Franciscan Friar John Rigaldi (end XIII century). These documents were approved by the Pope of the time. By the way these are called Legends because they were meant ‘to be read’ … ’leggere’ in Italian means to read.

A woman of noble descent, called Beatrice, from the diocese of Forli’, had been suffering for a number of years from a tumour in the head, the size of a man’s fist. The tumour had spread all over her head and there was no cure possible for this poor woman notwithstanding the attempts made by various doctors.

Having heard about the great devotion and miracles being performed through the intercession of this holy man, she was filled with hope and a ray of possible cure seemed to have crept into her. With great devotion towards this holy Friar Anthony, she made a vow. She promised that if Friar Anthony (not yet canonized) were to cure her she would pay for a silver frieze round his tomb.
That same night, during her sleep, she saw Friar Anthony. To her surprise she saw the holy Friar take hold of her head and break up the tumour into four parts. Amazingly she did not fear anything, but to the contrary she had a sweet sensation of good health and complete healing. All this happened in a dream.

Besides, she dreamt that she was awake and telling everyone about her experience and the good news. When Beatrice woke up the bulge she had on her head started going down, it broke up into four pieces (just as she saw in the dream), and within a few days she was completely cured.
From those days onward she did not stop from recounting to one and all her supernatural experience. She kept her vow, went to Padova and had Friar Anthony’s sarcophagus decorated with a silver frieze.

Dear friends, if you happen to be suffering from such a tumour, wherever it might be, or know of any person in your family, or friends, do have faith in God and pray through the intercession of Saint Anthony. Pray with faith, with great faith. Miracles still happen in our days, but you must believe that God can do anything … notwithstanding what science declares.
St.Anthony pray for us. /8