# 17 -A SERIOUS REPORT ON BLESSED CASTELLO, O.P.

 # 17 - A SERIOUS REPORT ON BLESSED CASTELLO, O.P.

IN PURSUIT OF THE TRUTH - HTTP://WWW.CINOPSBEGONEBLOGSPOT.COM - FRI. APR. 23,2021

 

THE LIFE OF BLESSED MARGARET CASTELLO, O.P.

By Father William R. Bonneville O.P.Tan Books, Carolina, 2016, Chapter 7, p.32-4

 

    It did not take them long to get ready, as every possible preparation had been made the day before. Their mounted escort, consisting of a dozen men-at-arms whom Parisio had carefully chosen, was already outside the main entrance, their horses neighing and pawing the ground, impatient to get started. At the sight of the soldiers, Lady Emilia was reassured; she would have nothing to fear from the bandits who lurked in the lonelier stretches of the forest, waiting to attack unprotected travelers.

 

    The church bell had barely begun to sound the hour of Prime when  Parisio gave the order and all mounted their horses. In the dim uncertain light of early morning, as the party approached the southern gate of the city, a challenge out. Instantly the travelers halted. The Parisio advanced at slow pace, while he shook back his fur-trimmed hood so that the guards might see his face. The officer of the guard stepped forward to question him; as he did so, he recognized his commander and saluted him. "Your Excellency! The Captain of the People!"

 

    "Open the gate," ordered Parisio curtly, " and lower the drawbridge. Quick! It's urgent." The soldiers ran to comply with his orders, and they watched with curiosity as the party, everyone completely muffled in their cloaks as protection against the cold morning air, silently filed through the gate... but contrary to their expectation of the guard, the travelers turned in the opposite direction and soon were swallowed up in the morning fog. 

 

    Until the rising sun had dispelled the fog, progress was slow because of the wretchedness of the road. The present-day tourist, journeying from Mercatello to Citta di Castello, travels over a wide, splendid highway that crosses the Apennine ranges in long, easy grades. But the only road available to Parisio was a miserable unpaved one, barely wide enough for a cart. There were no bridges across the occasional mountain streams, but fortunately, during autumn the waters was low. As the road took a fairly direct line to Citta di Castello, many of the grades were steep and dangerous. It was a journey that put to sever test both the endurance and surefootedness of the horses....

 

    Unlike Perugia Assisi, the town was on level ground and the travelers could see the entire cityprocure accommodations at the best inn, for Lady Emilia declared herself exhausted by the long arduous journey. So, while the womenfolk rested, the Captain set forth to gather what information he might concerning the Franciscan shrine. He began his inquiries at the Church of San Francisco, and before he finished his investigation he had visited a considerable part of the town. As a result he became convinced that genuine cures were being effected at the shrine of Fra Giacomo. For the first time he began to entertain hope that Margaret might be cured.

 

    Returning to the inn, he recounted to his wife and daughter what he had learned. "I have talked to three people who claim they were cured. I have checked their statements with their relatives and with neighbors, and in two cases, with their physicians. I am now convinced that genuine miracles have been performed." "Tomorrow morning, Margaret," said Parisio, "your mother and I will take you to Franciscan church. We can go to Confession and Confession and receive Holy Communion before we pray for a cure....

    Lady Emilia stared in astonishment at her husband. Confession? Communion? Noticing her stunned look. Parisio gave her a reassuring gesture; with relief, Emilia realized the talk about the Sacraments had been solely for their daughter's benefit.

 

    "I want you, my dear child," continued Parisio, "to pray tonight and tomorrow morning with your whole heart and soul for a complete cure. You will obey me in this matter won't you, Margaret?"

It was the first time her father had ever called her his "dear child!" Never had her parents spoken so kindly to her, and - what was more important to her - never had she heard them mention Confession and Communion until this day. She was so happy that tears of joy began to trickle down her cheeks. How fortunate she was to have such wonderful parents! 

   

She would soon learn just how fortunate she was and how wonderful her parents could be.

 

George H. Kubeck