The Healing Of A Leper

St. Francis, knowing by the Holy Ghost, that a leper man was troubled by an evil spirit, went and began to pray devoutly for him.

And having prayed, St. Francis came back to him and said: "Dear son, I want to take care of you, since you are not satisfied with the others."

And the sick man replied: "All right. But what more can you do for me than the others?"

And St. Francis said: "I will do whatever you wnat."

And the leprosy patient said: "I want you to wash me all over, because I smell so bad that I cannot stant it myself."

The St. Francis immediately had water boiled with many sweet-scented herbs. Next, he undressed the man with leprosy and began to wash him with his holy hands, while another friar poured water over him.

And by a divine miracle, wherever St. Francis touched him with his holy hands, the leprosy disappeared, and the flesh remained completely healed.

...And when the man with leprosy saw himself healed externally, he immediately began to have great compunction and remorse for his sins.

...When he was completely washed and healed physically, he was perfectly anointed and healed spiritually.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Little Flowers of St. Francis - 25