Fr. Paul of Moll, the Benedictine miracle-worker of 19th century Belgium, was renowned throughout his country for both his holiness and charity. So famous were the miracles which he obtained for others, that it was not uncommon for his humble monastery to receive unannounced visitors every day. Whether the need be spiritual or physical, Fr. Paul’s fraternal love was constant.

In Zele, a northeastern province of Belgium, a young boy lived in great need of this holy priest’s prayers. He was crippled with a hump on his back, due to a dislocated bone. In addition to this harsh ailment, he suffered also from a twisted foot - permanently turned in the wrong direction.

In many cases, these double afflictions might have been cause for despair. But the boy was blessed with loving family - two sisters - who cared for him deeply. By a great providence of God, their town was not too far from where Fr. Paul was staying. And so the two sisters took it upon themselves to bring their crippled brother to the famous Benedictine priest.

With a brief, fervent prayer, Fr. Paul pressed his hand on the hump, and blessed it with holy water. Then he held onto the twisted foot and, with miraculous ease, gently turned it straight, as if it were no trouble at all!

Setting the boy down, Fr. Paul watched him step onto the floor. The girls were amazed. To their incredible joy - their brother was completely cured!

With all their hearts, they thanked the good priest. Their conversation came around to more personal matters as one of the sisters confided to Fr. Paul how she wanted to enter a particular boarding school, but didn’t have the money necessary to do so. She explained,

"I need two thousand francs, and have only the small share of the inheritance left by my deceased parents."

"Don’t you know of any wealthy relative?" asked Father Paul.

A little surprised at such a question, the girl replied, "No, I do not know of any."

In a matter of fact tone, the holy priest continued, "Well, then, ask around, and when you have found one, apply to him. He will give you what you need."

It was an odd, though confident, set of instructions. Nonetheless, the girl had witnessed Fr. Paul’s extraordinary gifts on her brother’s behalf; she was not about to repay his generosity with disobedience or doubt.

And so, the girl followed his advice and commenced a search for an unknown wealthy relative. After a long time, her inquiries bore fruit! She discovered that she actually did have a rich relative - a cousin. Completing Fr. Paul’s instructions, the girl told her cousin about her desire to enter the school, and the need for money. But before she could mention how much she needed, her cousin gave her an unexpected answer:

"The last two nights, I have had the same dream. Someone came and told me to give nineteen hundred francs to a person in need of it. … You must be the person. Here is the money."

Amazement and gratitude filled the girl’s heart, as miracle was added upon miracle. While the two thousand francs was the total sum, with her own money in consideration… her cousin’s gift was the exact amount left that she needed.