Your social work VII

The mentality of Father François was based on a faith lived with simplicity perhaps, but with intensity and foundation. Of course! That is why exorcisms were signs of blessing. Something similar to prayers for healing. They prayed to God for the health of the sick person. Through the prayer of unceasing intercession, yes, but at the same time they included the value of witnessing in the hostile environment of the historical moment.

Fr. Palau never felt he was the protagonist when he performed the exorcism. He always acted in the name of God. Of his Church. It is God who heals, cures, liberates - he insisted -. And he acted in such a way that those around him could recognise him.

Such a ministry was part of his roots. For the use of intercessory prayers, blessings and other sacramentals are common practice. From years before. But they became a characteristic feature in the last years of his life. His highly realistic attitude was imbued with a good spirituality! And as such, he observed the stage of the sick.

They came in acute phase, not few. Some had not responded to previous treatment. They were marginalised from society and by society. They asked him to alleviate their inner pains and physical ailments, a challenge that made our Founder reflect deeply!

Yes, he was discerning. Some cases of sick people, he judged doubtful. In others, he saw that they were affected by melancholy or similar illnesses. This is when he encouraged them to engage in healing work, to increase their relationship with their environment. In many cases he made use of the judgement of the doctors. To them he referred them. Sometimes, at the insistence of the patient or his relatives and the poor figure they offered, Fr Palau welcomed them with respect and appreciation. He would pray for them. He laid his hands on them and pronounced the exorcisms of the Church on each one.

Sometimes he welcomed people in need of rest, solitude and spiritual help. They stayed with the Brothers for several days. Until they recovered their serenity. This is what Fr. Palau and his family could offer them, which was no small thing! And he felt immense compassion for them, as we have already seen. These sick people begged first, and then later they were grateful.

In those situations, Fr. Francisco became a ray of light for those who looked at him with clear eyes. He was a target of criticism and repulsion for those who looked at him with cloudy eyes. The pages of My Relations bear witness to the struggle that was being waged within him in the face of new situations.

Against the backdrop of this committed service in 1865, we find Fr Palau struggling in the night of faith. He felt powerless to cure - or even to relieve - various people (February and March 1866). Thus the blind faith of this man of God came into play. Personified in the word of Christ, who for him was the Church.

The results of his work were diverse and even opposite, weren't they? They ranged from ineffectiveness to undoubted, portentous cures. To him they seemed so evident that he could not doubt divine intervention. These are not only his own statements, but the affirmations of eyewitnesses, so that confidence in him and in his mission was strengthened!

In this trial, Father Palau, like another Jeremiah, fought to save his people, in the most vulnerable members. An excellent reference for us, his daughters.

Exorcism was the most committed and demanding apostolate of Fr Francis' ecclesial service. There can be no doubt about it, can there?