St. Ignatius of Laconi (1701-1781) was the son of a poor farmer in Laconi, Italy. When he was seventeen he became very ill. He promised to become a Franciscan priest if he became well. But when he became well, his father convinced him to wait. Later in life he almost got killed when he lost control of his horse. He took this as a sign and immediately went to become a priest. Brother Ignatius never had any important position in the Franciscan order. For fifteen years he worked in the weaving shed. Then, for forty years, he was part of the team who went out from house to house. They requested food and donations to support the friars.
Ignatius always skipped one house when he went to request for donations. The owner was a rich moneylender. He made the poor pay back much more than they could afford. This man felt humiliated because Ignatius never visited his home to ask for donations. He complained to Brother Ignatius' superior. Ignatius's superior sent Ignatius to his home. Brother Ignatius never said a word, but did as he was told. He returned with a large sack of food. It was then that God worked a miracle. When the sack was emptied, blood dripped out. "This is the blood of the poor," Ignatius explained softly. "That is why I never ask for anything at that house." The friars began to pray that the moneylender would repent.
St. Ignatius help us to praise God by doing small things in our daily life.
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