CHAPTER 23: He heals a half-dead boy
CHAPTER 23
He heals a half-dead boy
DURING the construction of the highest parts of the walls of the church, a young man, one of the bishop’s masons, lost his footing on a high pinnacle, fell headlong, and dashed himself on the stone pavement below. He broke his arms and legs; every joint was put out. There he lay gasping his last. The masons thought he was dead and at the bishop’s command, took him outside on a bier. Wilfrid had been praying and weeping but now hastily summoned all the workmen.
‘Let us show how great our faith is by praying together with one accord that God may send back the soul into this lad’s body and hear our prayers for his life, even as he heard the prayers of St Paul.’
They knelt down and prayed that he who mocks at every good thing might have no victory to gloat over in this building. The bishop prayed after the manner of Elias and Eliseus and gave his blessing. The breath of life returned to the boy. The doctors bound up his arms and legs and he improved steadily day by day. He is still alive to give thanks to God and his name is Bothelm.