THE MAN WHO STRIKE A DEAL WITH OUR LADY

Once upon a time, in Doul, a city in France, there lived a young cavalier named Ansaldo. This gentleman was trained in the arts of horsemanship and battle. As was common for those in Ansaldo’s line of work, he was injured at battle by an arrow, which entered so deep into his jaw-bone, that it was impossible to extract the iron.

After four years of suffering in this way, the afflicted man could endure the pain no longer. His affliction had made him very ill, a shadow of his former robust self. He thought he would again try to have the iron extracted. But before doing so, this time he decided to make a bargain with the Blessed Virgin.

On his sick bed, Ansaldo begged the Mother of God to heal his jaw and restore him to health. In exchange for this great grace, he vowed to visit a sacred image of her in the city of Doul every year, and make an offering of a certain sum of money upon her altar if she grant his request.

Immediately he made the vow the iron, without being touched, fell out of his jaw, into his mouth.

The next day, still very ill, he paid a visit to the sacred Statue. With a great deal of effort, the weakened, but hopeful man placed the promised gift on the altar.

Instantly, he felt himself wholly restored to health.

Impressed by the prompt motherly response of Our Lady health of the Sick, Andsaldo never forgot his vow and returned annually to fulfil his part of the deal.

Culled from the Glories of Mary, by Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori.