As an uplifting reminder that "you cannot keep a good man down", today we
recall the life of- -
The Venerable Franciscan Brother Andres Peres, a native of Montijo en
Extremadura; son of Juan Esteban and Catalina Grajera. Professed in the
religious Convent of Puebla on July 17, 1607, at 29 years of age, taking the
name Fray Andres Martin. His ardent charity led him to serve the sick. He
was continually in prayer, and in fervent contemplation of our Redeemer.
While crossing Plateros Street with a sack of bran, he saw an Image of the
crucified Christ and, with sack and body, he levitated in ecstasy until he
came to the Image.
On various occasions while serving the sick, he would pass by a Crucifix on
the door of the Pharmacy, raise his eyes, and with cup in hand, elevate.
Once it happened that he had four eggs in each hand, and levitated in
ecstasy; and upon extending his hands, not a single egg fell.
The Most Illustrious Archbishop of Mexico, aware of this, wished to see that
which others admired. When Fray Andres went out one Saturday to gather
alms, the Archbishop had him called into his oratory, and showed him a Holy
Christ that he had. Unable to contain himself, Fray Andres levitated to
where the holy figure hung; for which the Holy Prelate gave thanks to Our
Lord, compensating with alms the time he had taken from Fray Andres, time
well gained though lost.
The time came to go see in the other life that which he so fervently
contemplated in this, and he died in the Mexican Convent, April 2, 1631; the
burial for which saw a great gathering drawn by the fame of his virtues.
- from "Menologio Franciscano"
[Lacking only some assertion that, when they made effort to lower his casket
into the ground, it hovered in midair for some time, to the wonderment of
many and to the satisfaction of others.]
jmichael
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